No one knew what ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra meant when he claimed that an unnamed ‘somebody’ tried to push the country into political chaos, claimed Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai today.
“We should not criticise Khun Thaksin’s statement. He said he just raised it and did not know who it was,” Phumtham, also deputy leader of Pheu Thai party told reporters at the Government House.
Yesterday, Thaksin made his first public appearance, at an ordination ceremony in Pathum Thani province, since he failed to show up at the Office of the Attorney General late last month to acknowledge the lèse majesté charge filed against him.
Thaksin said on stage during the ceremony that “somebody living in the forest” had attempted to instigate political disturbance in the country.
Although Thaksin did not give a name, many believe that he was referring to General Prawit Wongsuwan, a former deputy prime minister in Prayut Chan-ocha’s government.
Prawit, leader of the Palang Pracharath party, part of the current governing coalition, is chairman of the Five Province Forest Foundation. Prawit often uses the foundation’s office as a venue for planning political moves with his supporters.
Some political observers also believe that Prawit is behind the petition by 40 senators to the Constitutional Court seeking Prime Minister Srettha’s removal, over the appointment of convicted Phichit Chuenban as a minister.
