Bangkok: Bhumjaithai Party officials have confirmed that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s invitation to MP Thaweewong Totwiwong, widely known as MP Tae, to join him on stage during a recent temple visit in Bang Ban District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, was an act of respect for the local community rather than a demonstration of political maneuvering.

According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Nan Boonthida Somchai, a spokesperson for the Bhumjaithai Party, addressed the concerns raised by the People’s Party, which interpreted the move as a potential political strategy. During the visit, Prime Minister Anutin, who also serves as the Minister of the Interior, was monitoring the flood situation in the area. The invitation extended to MP Tae, a member of the People’s Party, was met with objections from his party, who viewed the gesture as leveraging MP Tae’s presence for personal gain.

Ms. Nan elaborated that Prime Minister Anutin’s intention was merely to engage with the public within the local jurisdiction of MP Tae. She emphasized that the presence of multiple political parties on stage was an inclusive effort rather than an isolated political tactic. The Prime Minister’s approach during the visit was to provide a platform for everyone to engage with the community, rather than restricting the stage to members of the Bhumjaithai Party alone.

In response to inquiries about the political implications of the event, Ms. Nan asserted that Prime Minister Anutin is not inclined towards playing political games or creating issues. She clarified that the Prime Minister’s actions were meant to honor the attendees and provide an opportunity for all involved to connect with the local community, dismissing any notions of political manipulation.