Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has declared his trip to Belgium for the Asia-Europe Meeting a success, with all countries understanding the current situation in Thailand.
“The feedback on the general election in Thailand was quite good. I reiterated our roadmap, as I always do when going abroad, so foreign countries are confident in the stability of this government. And the next government must maintain such stability,” he said on his arrival at a military airport in Dong Muang district in Bangkok on Saturday morning.
Gen Prayut said he talked with leaders of around 50 countries and several agreed with him. “We’ve complied with all international obligations.”
He said he also had bilateral talks with leaders of nine countries. “We exchanged views and several countries acknowledged that we’ve made progress, especially on trade, investment and regulatory obligations.”
While Gen Prayut was abroad, another general was making headlines at home. Gen Apirat Kongsompong, the new army chief, said he could not rule out a coup if post-election politics became too fractious.
Asked to comment, Gen Prayut told reporters: “You assume too much. Nobody wants to [stage a coup].”
The premier also made a point of updating his new Facebook page as soon as he landed: “I’ve just returned to Thailand. Nowhere am I happier than here.”
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, who accompanied the prime minister to Brussels, said other countries now viewed Thailand as stable.
“We will be the Asean chair next year and the centre of all activities. Things have improved over the past four years so they [other countries] all want to reconnect,” he said. “The fact that Prime Minister Prayut showed an interest in politics has also drawn more leaders to talk with him.”
According to the Asean Charter, the chairmanship rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of member countries. Singapore is the chair this year.
Mr Don said not many countries had asked about the local political situation but Thai delegates who were asked insisted the election would be held in February.
“They did not show any concern whether it would take place by then as they all knew that what we’ve done benefits Thailand and its allies,” he said. “No one had an issue with the polls or Thailand’s future after the election.”
No country asked what kind of country Thailand would be once Gen Prayut stepped down, he said. “This shows they have confidence in the country.
“Many are also aware we have policy continuity, regardless of governments, thanks to the national strategy,” he said, referring to the 20-year plan that formally took effect earlier this week.
Mr Don, meanwhile, is preparing to hear a ruling in the Constitutional Court on Oct 31 in a case involving his wife’s undeclared assets. He said he was not worried and was ready to step down if the ruling was unfavourable to him.
Gen Prayut enjoys breakfast with his wife Naraporn at their hotel in Brussels on Friday. (Facebook@Prayutofficial)
