United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) secretary-general Nattawut Saikuar has revealed a list of interim cabinet ministers he claims are being pushed by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protest group.
Suthep Thaugsuban led the third consecutive street march on Wednesday, mainly to publicise his upcoming "biggest ever" protest march across Bangkok in yet another attempt to unseat the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. (Photos by Apichart Jinakul)
He also warned any interim prime minister nominated by the PDRC and ammart (old elite) network will face fierce popular opposition.
Mr Nattawut said if the PDRC succeeds in seizing power, its leader Suthep Thaugsuban will hold authority over the country and handpick the names of eight or nine potential interim cabinet members.
He said they include former finance ministers MR Pridiyathorn Devakula and Thanong Bidaya, former National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) rector Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, former Thammasat University rector Surapon Nitikraipot, PDRC co-leader Seri Wongmontha and Constitutional Court judge Jarun Pukditanakul.
Pramon Sutheewong, chairman of the business-based Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, could become the minister in charge of the economy, while permanent secretary for public health Narong Sahametha may be appointed as public health minister, Mr Nattawut said.
According to Mr Nattawut, the potential ministers in charge of reform include former foreign minister Prasong Soonsiri, ex-senators Jermsak Pinthong and Kaewsan Atibhodi, Thammasat rector Somkid Lertpaitoon, Nida’s law faculty dean Banjerd Singkaneti, and social critic Prawase Wasi.
The cabinet names were compiled from in-depth information which has undergone meticulous consideration, he said.
Speaking about the prospective interim prime ministers he named on Monday, Mr Nattawut said two of them — army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha and ex-defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon — seemed to have rejected the post, and they must not go back on this decision.
Mr Suthep yesterday said if Mr Nattawut wanted to know who the interim premier would be, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must resign quickly and then the name will be unveiled. He added he had paid no attention to Mr Nattawut’s list of neutral cabinet members.
Former Democrat MP for Phitsanulok Warong Dejkitwikrom posted on his Facebook page yesterday that Mr Nattawut’s revelations were aimed at stirring up negative public feeling. They will try to suggest that a neutral prime minister is undemocratic, Mr Warong said.
It is an attempt to create a sentiment that a neutral premier and cabinet are bad, he said. Mr Warong stressed that neutral people are needed to pave the way for reform before elections.
PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan yesterday denied Mr Nattawut’s allegation that Mr Suthep held talks with Privy Councillor Palakorn Suwannarat at the Pacific City Club in the Sukhumvit area.
Mr Palakorn was named by Mr Nattawut as the strongest candidate for interim premier.
Mr Akanat said since the warrant for the arrest of Mr Suthep was issued, the PDRC leader has never gone anywhere without protesters to back him up.