Bangkok: Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister-elect, has dismissed concerns regarding Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao’s appointment as a minister, indicating that there are no issues with the appointment. During a media interaction, Anutin emotionally questioned, “Who wants to sit in the Ministry of Defence?”

According to Thai News Agency, the interaction occurred during a coffee break between Anutin and Thammanat, who is an advisor to the Kla Dham Party. A reporter inquired about the introduction of the ministries, to which Anutin revealed that Thammanat had presented a list of ministers from the Kla Dham Party’s quota.

When asked if Thammanat would take up a ministerial position himself, both Anutin and Thammanat avoided giving a direct answer. Anutin reassured the media by saying, “No problem,” while both shared a lighthearted moment, laughing off the question. Anutin further elaborated, “Even though you said you wouldn’t have a problem, you still asked.” Thammanat humorously responded by wiping his face with a piece of paper, remarking, “I started sweating when I started asking.”

In a subsequent question about whether Thammanat was interested in heading the Ministry of Defense, both Anutin and Thammanat reacted with surprise. Anutin turned to Thammanat, prompting him with the rhetorical question, “Ask me. Who would want to?” to which Thammanat echoed the sentiment.