Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday posted on her Facebook page a reply to three allegations concerning her meeting with a group of businessmen at the Four Seasons Hotel on Feb 8.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Replying to an allegation that she irresponsibly skipped a House meeting it was her duty to attend, she said that as prime minister she is duty-bound to do whatever is most beneficial for the country.
On Feb 8, she checked the agenda and found that she had no particular issues to explain to the House of Representatives and so went to the meeting. The appointment had been made in advance. After the meeting she returned to the parliament and signed in at 4.16pm.
On the criticism that she was not present on Feb 16 to reply to a fresh inquiry raised by Democrat MP Rangsima Rodrassami, Ms Yingluck said on that she was in Lop Buri and Ayutthaya provinces inspecting flood-hit areas. This was part of her pre-arranged visits to flood-hit areas during the period Feb 13 to 17.
On learning that an MP would raise a question for her to reply to on Feb 16, she had assigned Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa to reply on her behalf. This was allowed under House regulations.
On the allegation that the Four Seasons meeting was personal, unethical and involved conflict of interest, Ms Yingluck said her meeting with the businessmen at the Executive Club on the 7th floor was for the purpose of hearing their opinions on the country's economic problems and other conditions.
She said her hotel visit was witnessed by a large number of people, including hotel staff and security men.
Since the businessmen who met her under that arrangement did not want to be in the news, the media was not notified of the meeting, Ms Yingluck said.
She said the matters discussed were not personal and did not concern the valuation of land to be used as floodways or water retention areas, as alleged.
The premier said she did not reply to the allegations earlier because she was not keen in playing political games.
"I would like to assure you once again that I will not do anything in a way to reap personal benefit, or to benefit certain individuals or groups. I will do everything for the sustainable happiness of the people," Ms Yingluck said.
Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
The Green Politics group today asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the ethics of Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong for his participation in a meeting between Prime Minister Yingluck and a group of businessmen at the Four Seasons Hotel on Feb 8.
The request was submitted to Chief Ombudsman Sriracha Charoenpanich by Jaturun Boonbenjarat, representing the group, which was formed by 10 former former executives of the yellow-shirt New Politics Party.
Mr Kittiratt admitted in a press interview this week that he was with the prime minister at the meeting.
Mr Jaturun said since one of the businessmen, real estate developer Srettha Thavisin of Sansiri Plc, said that they discussed with the prime minister political, economic and financial matters, including land valuation and interest rates, there might be conflict of interest involved.
Mr Kittiratt's ethics were now questionable since he is an important person responsible for the country's economic affairs but had used official time for a business meeting, he said.
Mr Jaturun also asked Mr Sriracha if any action had been taken on the group's earlier petition for an inquiry into the ethics of the cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kitti-ampon over the appointments of Nalinee Thavisin as PM's Office minister and red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar as deputy agriculture minister.
Mr Srirach accepted the request for consideration.
Dr Tul Sitthisomwong (Photo POST TODAY)
Meanwhile, two groups of people, proponents and opponents of charter amendment, rallied in front of parliament this morning.
The charter amendment supporters in red shirts gathered on the footpath in front of the Dusit Zoo.
Those opposed to charter amendment, the Network of Citizen Volunteers to Protect the Land, or the multi-colour group, gathered at the Uthong Nai intersection. The group was led by Dr Tul Sitthisomwong.
Dr Tul submitted a letter opposing charter amendment, signed by about 30,000 people, to Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomol.
The multi-colour group, has set Saturday, Feb 25, for another rally against charter amendment at the Victory Monument from 4pm, Dr Tul said after the group ended the rally in front of parliament today.
About 150 police have been deployed outside parliament to maintain law and order.
The joint sitting of the House or Representatives and the Senate to deliberate three draft charter amendments began at 9.30am. The joint sitting is due to conclude tomorrow, with the draft amendments expected to be referred to a parliamentary scrutiny committe.
