Srettha denies move to approach Thaksin
PRIME MINISTER AND Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin says he never spoke of a plan to make former premier Thaksin Shinawatra his adviser once the latter is released from jail, as widely reported.
Speaking to reporters in New York last week, where he was attending the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister explained he was asked by a reporter whether he might seek advice from Thaksin regarding national affairs. His reply was he would do so if necessary.
Critics have asked, given his remarks, who is really in charge of the government: Mr Sretta, or Thaksin, who is widely seen as having a hand in getting him the job.
Mr Srettha had told Bloomberg TV on Sept 20 that he would seek political advice from Thaksin when he was released from prison. He said he would also seek advice from all former prime ministers.
In fact, the first predecessor
Thaksin: ‘Most popular PM’.
he approached right after assuming office was Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. He also paid a visit to other former premiers, Anand Panyarachun and Somchai Wongsawat.
Mr Srettha praised Thaksin, saying he was the country’s most popular prime minister and that when he is free, it would be “unwise of me not to seek his opinion”.
But Mr Srettha said he did not believe Thaksin would entertain the notion of acting as adviser even if he was offered the post. “He wouldn’t want to be my adviser. He has other roles and responsibilities in mind,” Mr Srettha said.
Meanwhile, serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya said he
would file a petition asking the Department of Corrections to publish a daily record of Thaksin’s treatment at the Police General Hospital and who visited the former premier there.
According to Justice Ministry regulations, inpatient prisoners must be accompanied by two corrections officials at all times, and they are required to report what goes on at the hospital.
Mr Srisuwan said such records are not confidential medical documents which are normally banned from disclosure. They are general records which the Department of Corrections is obligated to divulge and clarify, he said.