Bangkok: The Prime Minister emphasized that the Senate collusion case involving several senators, including himself, should not be a matter of concern for the country's administration. He stated that the issue is under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC) and expressed his lack of concern regarding the opposition's move to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul responded to the opposition leaders' support for the Election Commission to file charges against the 229 senators accused of collusion. He reiterated that the matter rests with the EC and emphasized that there is nothing further he can do about it. When questioned about his name being implicated, Mr. Anutin dismissed the relevance of the question to national governance.
Mr. Anutin also addressed inquiries regarding the opposition and iLaw's revelations about ministers potentially involved in the case, indicating that the matter is entirely under the purview of the Election Commission. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the law, stating, "We must follow all the rules so we don't have to keep asking who is right and who is wrong."
The Prime Minister also addressed his recent Facebook post, "The iron doesn't melt, but the ice cream does," suggesting it had no political implications and remarked humorously about having just eaten ice cream before leaving the press conference.
The Prime Minister touched on the ongoing unrest in southern border provinces, attributing it to the government's strict law enforcement during the transitional period. He instructed officials to intensify their efforts in addressing the situation. Mr. Anutin commented on a recent bombing in Pattani province, urging the military and police to coordinate their response as per the National Security Council's plan.
Mr. Anutin clarified that while the state of emergency has been declared in affected areas, it is crucial to enforce the law strictly without excessive use of force. He also mentioned that the official Cabinet meeting in Songkhla Province might not extend to visits to the three southern border provinces unless the security situation allows for it, prioritizing the safety of the people over senior officials.
In response to inquiries about budget-related issues in the southern provinces, the Prime Minister maintained a focus on facts and dismissed poll-related questions. Police General Kittirat Phanphet, the National Police Chief, confirmed that investigations and security measures, including checkpoints, are actively underway in response to recent incidents.