Newly-appointed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared this morning that bringing down the cost of living, settling the border conflict with Cambodia, cracking down on drug trafficking and dealing with natural disasters will be among his incoming administration’s top priorities.
He also tried to allay fears that his government will interfere with ongoing investigations involving people in his Bhumjaithai party.
Speaking shortly after being formally appointed prime minister by a Royal command, Anutin said he will ensure that there will be no interference in the judicial process.
Bhumjaithai is being investigated for alleged involvement in collusion during the Senate election last year.
Some of the party’s key figures are also implicated in a major land scandal in Buri Ram province.
Anutin confirmed that he will honour the commitments made to the People’s Party, namely that his government will initiate the process leading to the writing of a new Constitution and dissolve the House within four months of delivering its policy statement to parliament.
Anutin was overwhelmingly voted into the position of Thailand’s 32nd prime minister by the House of Representatives on Friday, with full, but conditional support from the People’s party, the country’s largest political party.
Anutin said he is close to finalising his new Cabinet line-up, which is expected to be unveiled this week.
The new prime minister said one of his government’s top priorities is to bring down the cost of energy and transportation, in order to reduce the cost of living. It will also introduce measures to help indebted households, especially farmers.
On the ongoing border conflict with Cambodia, Anutin said his government will try to settle the dispute through peaceful means, “… but that will be done on the principle that Thailand will not lose even a single square centimeter of its territory,” Anutin said, adding his government will work on quick and fair compensation for people affected by the recent border skirmishes with Cambodia.
Another priority, he said, is to expand the early warning system, to prepare the public for natural disasters.
Cracking down on drug trafficking, scam centers and gambling will also be a top priority, he said.
Acknowledging the limitation in the term of his administration, Anutin pledged “to devote all energy and resources to bringing Thailand out of all the crises it has been facing.”
He said he has full confidence in the individuals that will form his Cabinet and that they have been chosen on the basis of their expertise, experience and their willingness to serve the country.
“There will be no rest nor holiday for them… They will hit the ground running from day one,” he said.
He specifically thanked the People’s party for its support, which made his premiership possible. “They have made a sacrifice to give Thailand a way out,” he said.
