Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam assures that the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is not a caretaker government, but a government with full power to take decisions of national importance until a new government comes into the office.
His defence of the legitimacy of General Prayut’s government, citing a provisional clause in the existing Constitution, was in response to an argument by Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul that, since General Prayut was appointed post-election prime minister by Royal Command, he is no longer the junta-appointed prime minister and, hence, his cabinet was automatically disbanded.
Dr. Wissanu maintained that the government has full authority, although the number of cabinet ministers has dropped to 17-18 and General Prayut still remains the Prime Minister, adding that the cabinet still has to meet because there are many issues related to international affairs which need to be considered and approved.
Meanwhile, House speaker Chuan Leekpai rejected a motion, from the Future Forward party, for the House to determine whether the current cabinet retains authority, after General Prayut lost his status as the junta-appointed premier following the Royal command endorsing him as the post-election prime minister.
Citing Article 264 of the provisional chapter of the Constitution, Mr. Chuan said that General Prayut’s cabinet remains in office and functional until the new government is installed.
He also informed legislators of a meeting tomorrow for a briefing on parliamentary rules and regulations, as well as the requirement for MPs to declare their assets.
