Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has denied he is a political puppet and that he intends to serve out his four-year term during which he wants to see an average economic growth of 5 per cent for Thailand.
Speaking to Thai PBS in a special interview early this week, Srettha said his government is working hard to draw in foreign direct investments and concluding a series of free trade agreements in order to stimulate the Thai economy.
The World Bank has projected a 3.2 per cent economic growth for Thailand for 2024 compared to 2.5 per cent last year, with strong support by a recovery in tourism and sustained private consumption.
He touted the “land-bridge project” in southern Thailand as a major magnet that would attract large-scale investments from foreign corporations. He also believes that tourism will continue to be an important engine for growth.
However, he admitted that he was concerned about the prospect of his government’s much-publicized “digital wallet” project being delayed or overturned by the Council of State which is in the process of reviewing its legality.
Srettha said given the magnitude of the problems facing the country there was no honeymoon period for his administration. “We hit the ground running in the first few months,” he said.
In the interview, Srettha rejected criticisms that he is merely a political puppet of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is supposed to be serving a reduced prison term but instead has been recuperating after treatment from unknown illnesses at the Police Hospital.
Thaksin ended his overseas self-exile in August last year and returned to Thailand in what was widely speculated to be part of a political deal that paved the way for Pheu Thai Party to form a coalition government. Despite repeated denials by Pheu Thai leadership, Thaksin is still believed to be the most influential figure behind the party.
“I make my own decisions all the time. I could be hasty in making decisions or quick with words. But I am what I am,” he said when asked whether he has been at Thaksin’s beck and call.
“You can ask members of the Cabinet whether I have been myself. Time will tell,” he added.
He also denied having a hand in the royal commutation for Thaksin and a potential for an eventual pardon. “It’s all up to what the process is. The prime minister is not supposed to know everything because this matter is being handled by the Justice Ministry and the Corrections Department,” Srettha said, referring to a reported move by the two agencies to have Thaksin pardoned.
“All I can say is that Thaksin never has problems with my being prime minister and I am doing my job with full dignity,” he said in response to speculation that Thaksin is the process of grooming his youngest daughter Paetongtarn, who is now leader of Pheu Thai Party, to succeed him as prime minister.
When asked what could be some of the factors that might jeopardize his premiership, Srettha said: “I don’t spend time thinking about this. Whatever will be, will be as long as it goes according to the rules.”
The interview with Srettha was conducted by Suthichai Yoon for his new talk programme and will be aired on Thai PBS at 9.30pm tonight.
Before the interview Srettha led a Thai PBS news team on a tour of his office at the Government House that includes a newly-renovated bedroom which the prime minister said will serve as his second residence.
