PM says he’d be happy to step aside if someone better comes along

The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, says he’d have no problem stepping down if someone better could take over, adding that he’s tired of all the power now.

“If in the future, there is a person who is better, more capable and more honest than me, similarly honest, (he or she) would continue the work and be in charge of the country. But being in power is not a fun matter. I exercised a lot of power when I was the army chief for 4 years. I am fed up with using power. I used the power to take care of good people and punish people who do bad things. Only 2 (kinds of exercising power) are difficult enough already.”

He adds that accusations that he has abused his power leave him mystified.

“Many people accused me of using the power illegally, I don’t know where I have broken the laws. I comply with all the laws.”

Prayut says he never expected to be PM, not least for 6 years, adding that the 20 year national strategy is not a sign he intends to hold on to power for 20 years. However, anyone waiting in the wings and hoping to take over sometime soon, probably shouldn’t hold their breath.

In terms of succession there has been no clear politicians waiting in the wings ready to step up into the main job. Under the current 2017 Charter, the PM would be appointed through a joint sitting of the Thai Parliament – the entire upper house, the Senate, is a rump of old army and conservative career politicians, hand-picked by the former NCPO military junta.

“I might die today or tomorrow, nobody knows.”

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reports that the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration are planning another protest this Sunday. Activists are expected to gather at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument at 4.00pm, before marching to an as-yet-unnamed location. Anti-government protesters are doubling down on their 3 demands: the PM’s resignation, a re-drafting of the constitution, and reform of the Monarchy.

It’s understood royalist groups do not intend to hold a counter-rally on Sunday but will gather at Ramkhamhaeng University the next day to voice their support for the Monarchy. One royalist group has filed a police complaint against activists involved in an anti-government protest on Monday, accusing participants of “inappropriate behaviour” towards the Royal institution, although further details are not known.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post