Sulky Prayut refuses to speak directly to reporters

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday refused to answer reporters’ questions and had his spokesmen answer instead following a storm of criticism over his four questions related to future elections.

During his inspection visit to a water pumping station in Bang Na on Monday, Gen Prayut became angry when reporters asked him about criticism by politicians of the four questions. He said he would stop talking to reporters for a few weeks.

After chairing the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday, the prime minister declined to talk to reporters waiting in a press room at Government House.

“A team of government spokesmen will explain”, Gen Prayut said.

When asked if he was upset about anything, Gen Prayu replied:”No. Why should I be?” before heading to his office.

The spokespeople compiled reporters’ questions and presented them to the Prime Minister in his office, who provided handwritten notes in response for his team of spokesmen so they could provide verbal answers on his behalf.

One question asked whether the prime minister was confident of receiving the answers he expects to his four questions since he may only get answers that please him. Gen Prayut wrote it does not matter if the answers please him or not.

“I only want the people to learn how they can help get a government that provides good governance. It’s the people who make the choice in elections and they must choose carefully,” he said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the timing of the questions was wrong, and these questions should be answered by the Constitution Drafting Committee which is responsible for drawing up election-related legislation.

While the new charter has been touted as one with good provisions to deal with corrupt politicians, the prime minister’s questions show Gen Prayut may not have confidence in the new charter, Mr Abhisit said.

Thatchapong Kaedum, a member of the Young People for Social-Democracy Movement, yesterday went to the government’s complaints centre and handed in a letter giving the group’s answers to the prime minister’s questions.

Mr Thatchapong said while good governance can come about through public participation, the people have not been given any say on public matters during the past three years under the regime’s rule.

The premier’s questions were roundly criticised as an attempt to test the waters for another delay in the election roadmap.

The first question asked whether people think the next elected government can guarantee good governance.

The second asked what should be done if there is no such government after the next election.

The third asked whether elections that fail to take into account matters relating to the country’s future, reforms and national strategy are the right thing.

His fourth asked if politicians guilty of inappropriate behaviour should be allowed to run in the election, and if so, who and what methods would regulate them.