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By APD Writer Chen Jiabao
BANGKOK, July 1 (APD) -- Thai prime minister Prayut-chan-o-cha has turned a deaf ear to politician's question on whether he will run the next election, local media reported on Saturday.
"I won't answer this question, as it will bring more problems no matter what I say", Prayut reiterated, doubting that "why don't politicians care more about people instead of being interested in nonsense like this".
The junta head, has refused to talk about whether he will stay on since a member from the Pheu Thai party which is known as supporter of Yingluck, urged him to clarify what he has in mind.
The politician's call came after a recent poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration.
About half of the 1,250 respondents agreed with the idea of Prayuth serving as prime minister again.
In reference to the next elections, respondents were asked if they would “agree in the formation of a new political party to support the current administration.”
The idea of setting-up a pro-junta political party has been the subject of speculation for a long time after the military toppled Yingluck's government and seized power through a coup in 2014.
53.52 percent of respondents said they supported the idea.
"It's not the time to talk about this question", said Prayut, who promises to hold an election in the country in late 2018.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon confirmed earlier that the current government will step down from power when a newly elected government takes office.
Former Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojiarakarn said he’s convinced that Prayuth will not form his own party because doing so could only damage himself.
Former Pheu Thai premier Yingluck Shinawatra struck a conciliatory tone, saying it would be “a good thing” if Prayuth ran in the next poll, because what people want to see is a country leader who comes from elections.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
