Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha admitted today that the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party would be a choice if he is to jump into politics.

Answering a reporter’s question, Gen Prayut said aligning himself with the party is under his consideration.

“These are the people who have been working with me. If..and if I do decide which party to join these would be the people,”
he said, referring to some of the key members of Palang Pracharat who are in his Cabinet.

He said the party that he would join must be capable of driving the country forward.  However, he added that he has not been officially approached yet.  Palang Pracharat has openly declared support for Gen Prayut to return as prime minister after the election.

Referring to the parties that have threatened to boycott a meeting with the National Council for Peace and Order and the Election Commission scheduled for this Friday, he said he could not force them to attend but reminded that they must stick to the rule “like a boxer who must get himself prepared and must study the rules before the fight; he just cannot refuse to accept the rule claiming that it has been changed.”

The prime minister also disclosed that the Coronation Ceremony for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be held after the election. He said he is waiting for a Royal Command about the schedule of the Coronation Ceremony which, according to the tradition, is divided into two stages.

The first stage involve preparations to be made by the government which might proceed during the election period and, for that matter, the Election Commission must take into consideration as well while the government must ensure peace and order for the country.

The second stage is about the Coronation Ceremony itself which may take several days and is likely to take place after the election, he said.