Outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday remained silent about his political future in the wake of Sunday’s general election after chairing a caretaker cabinet meeting.
Reporters asked if he would quit politics, and he smiled, saying: “No comment.”
Gen Prayut was also tight-lipped when reporters asked if he would remain in the fight and stay with the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party.
He likewise declined to comment on the possibility of former opposition party Pheu Thai joining hands with parties in his outgoing government and isolating the Move Forward Party, which won the most House seats.
Gen Prayut said his government remained on duty and was doing its best pending the formation of the new government. He thanked people for their moral support for him and his government over the past few years. He also thanked all voters who exercised their rights at Sunday’s polls and congratulated all political parties that received votes.
“Although the UTN is newly formed, the party has received satisfactory feedback,” he said.
“The UTN will still be devoted to the three pillars of Thai society — nation, religions and monarchy — including people no matter their position,” he added.
Gen Prayut said he was happy with the process of forming a new government.
“I would like all Thai people to cooperate and promote unity,” he said. “This is done for stability in the nation so that we can have no conflict and we can jointly develop the nation.”
The UTN Party, which nominated Gen Prayut as its prime ministerial candidate, finished fifth in Sunday’s election with 36 House seats, compared to the Move Forward Party’s 152 and Pheu Thai’s 141, according to the latest figures.
Thirteen ministers were reported absent from yesterday’s cabinet meeting.