Sutin’ reveals that the ‘military list’ can still be discussed before the new cabinet is formed, stating that whether he will be removed from the position or stay on depends on the new prime minister and cabinet. No worries, just relax.
Mr. Suthin Khlangsaeng, acting Minister of Defense, revealed that before the new government is formed, as Minister of Defense, he can do everything as prescribed by law. However, as a courtesy, he will not initiate new policies and start binding the budget. As for the appointment and transfer of military officers, it can still be done because it is not the authority of the Minister alone. It is considered together with the committee for transferring military generals, which he can call a meeting for. Except for the final step where the Prime Minister will come to submit for royal endorsement, he believes that even if he is the acting Prime Minister, he can submit for royal endorsement. Currently, the armed forces are gradually sending the list of military personnel to the Pe
rmanent Secretary of Defense. It is not yet known whether all have been sent.
As for whether the new government will consider the continuity of the position of Defense Minister, Mr. Sutin said that it depends on how the new government views it because it is not just the Defense Ministry, but also other ministries. Whether to see if it will be continuous or start over, we have to ask the new Prime Minister. When asked if he is confident that he will return to sit as Defense Minister again, Mr. Sutin said that anything can happen. He is free-minded.
Mr. Sutin added that after the Pheu Thai Party executive committee meeting, he had not yet spoken to Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai Party leader, but he had heard that overall they would try to use the same group. As for the opinion that there were many people running to be the Defense Minister, he was not worried because there had been news like this all along since he became the Defense Minister. We are used to it and can move forward comfortably. Ho
wever, on August 20, the scheduled visit to the US Defense Ministry has been postponed, but it has not been cancelled.
Source: Thai News Agency