“Phumtham” throws the Palang Pracharath Party to clear up the names of ministers after 3 big shots made inconsistent phone calls, reiterates that Pheu Thai does not despise anyone but must be clear, fearing problems will arise, confirms that strict qualifications must be scanned to protect “Paetongtarn’s” seat
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Vejjayachai, acting as the Prime Minister, spoke about the Pheu Thai Party meeting yesterday (19 August) regarding the conclusion of the Pheu Thai Party’s ministerial quota. He confirmed that there was no discussion of the party’s ministerial nominations in the meeting because it was a general meeting discussing the draft law to be submitted to the House of Representatives and no decisions had been made yet because there was no meeting of the party’s executive committee, which is responsible for selecting individuals.
As for when the Pheu Thai Party will reach a conclusion, as the names must be submitted by today (20 August), Mr. Phumtham stated that it is up to the exe
cutive committee to consider, and as he is the coordinator, he has already informed the coalition parties to forward the names to Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, former secretary-general to the prime minister, for further coordination, as there must be a qualifications verification process, which is expected to be completed by today (20 August).
Mr. Phumtham insisted that the qualifications must be properly checked, and at the very least, the executives must protect the Pheu Thai Party leader, but did not specify that if anyone has a bad record, they will not be considered, but asked that the parties investigate according to the law, because they cannot appoint or manage anything outside the law.
As for the clarity of the Palang Pracharath Party after the name of Colonel Thammanat Prompao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which may have a qualification problem, Mr. Phumtham confirmed that he had not seen the name yet, but asked the Palang Pracharath Party to discuss it until it was finished because previo
usly, 3 people from the Palang Pracharath Party called to coordinate with him, so he asked the Palang Pracharath Party to handle it clearly. But initially, he had not seen the names of anyone, he only knew from the news, so he would not interfere because it was an internal matter of the Palang Pracharath Party. But importantly, the government must be united, work together, and implement policies in the same direction so that there will not be the same problem again.
The reporter asked if the Pheu Thai Party was still concerned about the qualifications of Colonel Thammanat. Mr. Phumtham stated that today, they must do their best and the Cabinet Secretary and the Council of State Secretary will thoroughly examine the qualifications. Therefore, it depends on this examination process to make it clear in order to decide on what to do next. It is the first screening. After that, the Prime Minister will examine it again to ensure the utmost confidence and safety. He also explained that when the examination of quali
fications will be completed does not depend on him, but on the Cabinet Secretary and the Council of State Secretary as to when the examination will be completed because it is difficult. However, it will be completed carefully and as soon as possible.
Regarding the news that the Pheu Thai Party does not want Colonel Thammanat to join the government, Mr. Phumtham did not comment and explained that the Pheu Thai Party did not specify who it wanted or did not want, but asked everyone to send in their names for background checks without specifying any individuals because it would cause confusion. From what he saw at the moment, many political parties have clearly sent in their names, except for the Palang Pracharath Party, which still has many opinions because 3 people have called to coordinate with him, so he asked them to discuss it within the party until it was finished.
Mr. Phumtham also mentioned the case of Mr. Santi Promphat, deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, who has doubts about his qualifica
tions regarding his educational qualifications. He said that he did not know at first because every party can submit a name. However, when forming a cabinet, there must be mutual approval, which is in accordance with normal procedures.
As for whether the Democrat Party has submitted a name, Mr. Phumtham reiterated that he has not yet followed up on whether other parties have submitted a name list, because he has assigned Dr. Prommin to collect them. He also reiterated that at present, it is only a discussion within the coalition government.
Mr. Phumtham also refused to discuss the case in which Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, called Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister. As for whether there will be any discussions with people in the Pheu Thai Party, it depends on whether the discussions are through the right channels or not. If it is discussed with people who do not have the power to make decisions, it will not be clear. It also depends on who the prime ministe
r appoints as a coordinator, and that person must be coordinated.
Mr. Phumtham also confirmed that from his interview about asking General Prawit to give his consent to join the government, it was not to pressure General Prawit to surrender himself. Would he dare to say that? But joining the government must be clear. And there were also media who asked if the cabinet would not have Wongsuwan, which he did not mention to that extent and told General Prawit to ask himself what he thought. Including not showing any disgust, just wanting clarity only.
Source: Thai News Agency