Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Chankul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, hesitated to address questions concerning a recent photograph depicting Newin Chidchob, President of Buriram United Club, dining with Santi Promphat, Deputy Leader of the Palang Pracharath Party. The dinner, also attended by other notable figures such as Chada Thaiset and Akaradej Thongchaisod, has sparked rumors of potential political maneuvers ahead of an expected cabinet reshuffle.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anutin struggled to respond when questioned about the implications of the meeting, particularly regarding the possibility of Mr. Santi's group joining forces with the Bhumjaithai Party. Despite reporters' attempts to garner a definitive answer, Mr. Anutin remained elusive, opting instead to discuss his long-standing acquaintance with Ms. Jitra Meethong, who was recently appointed as his advisor.
During the interview, Mr. Anutin neither confirmed nor denied any potential collaboration with Mr. Santi's group, sidestepping inquiries about any discussions that might have taken place. The Deputy Prime Minister's reticence only fueled further speculation about the meeting's significance, particularly in the context of a possible cabinet reshuffle.
Reporters noted that although the Government House did not schedule a meeting for Mr. Anutin to chair the Screening Committee for Cabinet Submissions, Ms. Jitra's appointment as an advisor was announced, and she was introduced to the media. This development coincided with Mr. Anutin's remarks about focusing on issues beneficial to the public, rather than engaging in political conjecture.
As the interview drew to a close, Mr. Anutin refrained from addressing whether the dinner was a strategic move to bolster the Bhumjaithai Party's influence or a prelude to a cabinet reshuffle. Instead, he deflected the focus to his recent visit to the Thai-Cambodian border with the Prime Minister, before concluding the session and departing for a meeting at the command building.