Though he hasn’t said it out loud, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Kobsak Phutrakul is leaving no doubts that he is just a step away from throwing his hat into the political ring.
As evasive as he could be when pinned down by reporters on Tuesday, Kobsak said he has already informed Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-on-cha of his political plans.
Speculation has been swirling about the political future of at least three members of Prayut cabinet who are reported to have been playing a key behind-the-scenes role of the newly-formed Palang Pracharath Party. Kobsak is widely expected to become its spokesman.
When pressed on the issue, a smiling Kobsak asked the media to wait until this coming Saturday when the pro-military party holds its first general assembly to elect its leadership.
However, when asked whether he would accept the post of party spokesman as speculated, Kobsak replied “it will be something like that. See you this Saturday.”
Asked whether he will quit the Cabinet, he said this would be known on Saturday, adding, however, that he had already informed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha about his political future and would inform the cabinet on Tuesday.
Kobsak said he was interested in politics as much as Prime Minister Prayut is and would want to follow up on works initiated by the current government. In answering a question about his political future over the weekend, Gen Prayut said he was interested in politics but stopped short of saying whether he would run the upcoming election.
Kobsak also hinted that several cabinet ministers would also join the Palang Pracharath party.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm said that there was no need for cabinet ministers to quit if they wanted to join parties vying for the general election.
