Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should not be proud of his coup d’etat, and it was wrong of him to imply he was, the opposition chief whip said on Thursday.
Sutin Klungsang, a deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, was speaking to reporters as the opposition’s censure debate continued on the floor of the House.
Mr Sutin was commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon’s remark in the House on Wednesday that he had known nothing about the May 22, 2014 coup, because it had been the sole responsibility of Gen Prayut.
Gen Prawit said he and Gen Anupong Paochinda, the interior minister, had nothing to do with the planning of the coup. “I didn’t even know when the coup would happen,” Gen Prawit said.
As he spoke he looked at Gen Prayut, who was sitting beside him in the parliament. The remark drew laughter from MPs.
Gen Prayut responded with a smile and raised his hand in a gesture of acceptance.
“It’s a pathetic pleasure… That’s very dangerous and a bad sign,” Mr Sutin said.
On Wednesday Gen Prayut said he had shown only responsibility in staging the coup and there were reasons for it, which had been explained.