“Phumtham” admits that Pheu Thai MPs are pushing for “Paetongtarn” to be the Prime Minister, asks to wait to hear the executive committee’s resolution, don’t go too far and make people fight and poison “Settha”, denies that “Thaksin” ordered the cancellation of digital wallets, indicates waiting for the new government
Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, acting deputy prime minister and minister of commerce, said about the latest news that the Pheu Thai Party will propose Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra as a prime ministerial candidate for a vote in the parliament tomorrow (August 15), that he has been informed of this matter and it is a matter for the party’s executive committee to consider. If Ms. Paethongtarn really becomes prime minister, the continuation is a matter for Pheu Thai Party and the party’s personnel must consider and proceed. But the important thing today is that the coalition government has unanimously voted for the prime minister to come from Pheu Thai Party, so it is the party’s responsibility to find a
prime minister. According to the law, there are only two candidates: Mr. Chaikasem Nitisiri and Ms. Paethongtarn. As for the news that came out last night (August 14) that Mr. Chaikasem would be nominated, he himself did not know the reason because he had just returned from overseas and received a report from the MPs, who told him that it was okay, that they would talk to each other, and that they would have to think things through as best they could because the current situation must be acknowledged as an emergency. He had just been working overseas for 2 days and had to fly back.
As for the digital wallet policy, will it be continued or not? Mr. Phumtham said that we have to wait for a new prime minister to successfully form a government. The questions the media asked have not happened yet and asked the public not to be confused because we have to wait for a clear meeting first. The news that was released saying it could not continue was because the media asked and thought on their behalf. Please do not im
agine and use reality that whoever will be the prime minister is the duty of the Pheu Thai Party, which has to wait because the person with the highest power is the party’s executive committee.
As for the part where the Secretary-General of the Council of State said that when the government changes, the digital wallet should stop and the Council of State should not be asked again, Mr. Phumtham said that it is the opinion of the Council of State, but everything must wait for the new government, which what the Secretary-General of the Council of State said is partially correct, as if it has stopped and must wait for the new government.
As for the rumor that Thaksin ordered the cancellation of digital wallets, Mr. Phumtham stated that he had just heard this news from the media. Not every news that comes out is successful or true.
As for Mr. Thaksin, he has the power to propose to proceed or stop this project, Mr. Phumtham said, ‘Asking the question, do you have the power to do this? I think today it is up to
the Pheu Thai Party executive committee, which we all must have the same maturity, following the process when Mr. Settha left, and accepting the rules to follow the process. Everything that is happening now is an important mission, which is to elect a prime minister to carry out the duties. Pheu Thai Party must complete this mission as soon as possible, so I am confident that when we have reached a sense of agreement at one stage, the coalition parties confirm that they will stick together as a coalition government, even if Pheu Thai Party is the core party. Which is considered to have passed one stage already, so we must give time because this matter has only happened one day, I haven’t talked to anyone yet.’
Mr. Phumtham also mentioned the interview of Mr. Wisut Chainarun, the government whip, on the program “In-depth Thailand Inside Thailand” (Old Dog) that at first, the party did not really agree if Mr. Chaikasem was proposed and wanted Ms. Paethongtarn to come up more. But in the end, we had to respect
the leader’s decision. The reason is that if Ms. Paethongtarn was proposed, people would see it as a drug. Mr. Setthasat, don’t think too far ahead and make people fight each other. People in the Pheu Thai Party love each other. Don’t worry and don’t ask questions that make you feel like that person planned to deal with that person. People have to think positively, not negatively. -316.
Source: Thai News Agency