Opposition People’s party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has demanded that the government reconsiders its decision to invite members of the Privy Council to a meeting of the National Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command on Tuesday.
He said today that the People’s party recognises Thailand’s democratic system with the King as the head of state and, as such, the monarchy or its representatives, namely privy councilors, should not get involved with the government’s public policy affairs.
He said that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s inviting of privy councilors to attend such a meeting is “improper”, noting that, if there is something wrong with a subsequent government decision, the reputation of the monarchy could be affected.
He said that his party conveyed its concern to the government yesterday, even though quite a few people have claimed that privy councilors have become involved in public policy affairs over the past several years.
Regarding Royally-sponsored projects, which require taxpayer funding, the opposition leader said that the government must be held directly accountable, especially the prime minister.
Natthaphong also said that the prime minister could have consulted the King or the Privy Council directly, but that such discussions would have to remain confidential.
He went on to say said that the party will try all possible channels to convey its concerns to the prime minister, so he would not involve privy councilors in the government’s administration of public affairs.
