Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said this morning (Sunday) that he had not told the media that he has appointed convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as one of his advisors.

Speaking to the media at Suvarnabhumi airport, on his return from the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister said that the Thai media had misinterpreted remarks he made about Thaksin during his interview with Bloomberg in New York.

He maintains that, during the interview, he only said that he might consult Thaksin, in the way he has consulted several former prime ministers and senior officials, among them former prime ministers Anand Panyarachun and Somchai Wongsawat, adding that the media should check the transcript of his interview.

“This is the first time that I am prime minister and I am new to politics,” said the prime minister, adding that he is ready to seek advice from anyone who is knowledgeable and resourceful.

He asked the Thai media not to misinterpret what he says, because it may unnecessarily cause a problem.

“Please do not misinterpret and just listen to what I say,” said the prime minister, as he cut short his interview with Thai media at the airport.