PUBLISHED: 3 Sep 2024 at 19: 21
Phumtham Wechayachai, the caretaker deputy prime minister, refrained from calling him unfit to serve as defense minister because he joined the Communist Party of Thailand ( CPT ) in the 1970s.
In the fresh Pheu Thai-led state, Mr. Phumtham has been tipped to be defense secretary after Srettha Thavisin was removed by the Constitutional Court.
This prompted past legislator, Gen Somjate Boonthanom, to speak out against making the visit.
” The state will appoint a great friend, who fled into the trees in October 1976, to be defence secretary overseeing military personnel”, Gen Somjate posted on Instagram, referring to Mr Phumtham.
Following the massacre of pupils and protesters at Thammasat University on October 6, 1976, Mr. Phumtham was one of the students who eluded the forest to meet the CPT.
Mr. Phumtham responded to the censure on Tuesday by saying that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is in charge of selecting his government position.
” But if I become defence minister, I want Gen Somjate to stop worrying. I fled aggressive events that had taken place in society at the time. I fled the woods. I was not alone. Other students from various organizations “flew into the jungle,” said Mr. Phumtham.
Afterwards, military leaders at the time made the decision to strike a conciliatory note to allow students and others who supported the Arthur to rejoin society, according to Mr. Phumtham.
He cited Gen Prem Tinsulanonda’s government’s 1980 government’s attempt 66/23, which allows those who joined the CPT to reintegrate into society and participate in a regional development initiative aimed at rehabilitating them.
” Since then, I have never been involved in any action ]related to the CPT]. Over the past 50 years, I have established myself. I usually put the people’s best interests earliest”, Mr Phumtham said.
” I am not in discord with people. I believe in the great motives of people, especially the defense. He declared,” If I become defence minister, I will do everything in my power to keep the military on their side and assist them in trying times,” adding,” I will do everything.”