DEPUTY Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said at Government House this morning (March 30) that he does not believe Pheu Thai Party will win 220 to 230 seats in the next general election as projected by former sibling prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, the Thai-language daily Matichon reported.
The 2 former prime ministers are currently in Tokyo to attend the launch of a book written by Hashime Ishii, a former Japanese interior minister.
General Prawit said Thaksin and Yingluck can say anything they want, and the media is free to believe whatever it wants, but he personally does not believe Pheu Thai Party will win this many seats.
Regarding news that National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is assessing the outcome of the next election, Gen Prawit said he has not received this report, and questioned the media so to where they got it from, adding that this has not happened.
Gen Prawit also said officials are following up on Thaksin and Yingluck’s trip to Japan.
Asked how NCPO is assessing this appearance by the 2 former prime ministers in Japan, Gen. Prawit countered with the question: “How do you think we should assess it?”
He added that he does not know whether Thaksin is sending a message by doing so or not.
When asked whether this appearance stresses the point that Thai officials are unable to apprehend them, Gen Prawit said although they see it as not being able to catch them, in fact officials are working on it.
Officials would also have to explain to Japan that the cases against Thaksin and Yingluck are not linked to politics.
CAPTION:
Top: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit, left, and Thaksin and Yingluck at right. Thai-language headline says “Government says loudly have to explain to Japan.” Photo: Matichon
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