Junta No. 2 wants PM Prayuth in office for another term so he can ‘finish his work’

Junta No. 2 Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, best known internationally for his love of extravagant wrist watches, surprised no one yesterday by saying he wants his boss, military leader Prayuth Chan-ocha, to continue on in his post as prime minister for another term.

The question of Prayuth’s future was put before Prawit by reporters outside the Ministry of Defence as they once again sought to confirm the date of the general election, a question that prompted Prawit to “jokingly” offer to brawl with a female reporter just two weeks ago.

Seemingly in a better mood yesterday, Prawit confirmed that the election would be held on Feb. 24 by raising two fingers on one hand and four on the other, drawing laughter from reporters.

When asked to comment about Prayuth’s interest in politics, Prawit said he wants his boss to stay in office so he could “finish his work.”

“I want the the prime minister to stay so he could finish the work he’s doing, because we’re rushing everything. We’ve done so much in the past four years,” Prawit said.

“So you agree that Prayuth deserves to stay in office?” one reporter asked.

“If the parties agree, they will invite him,” Prawit said.

And there’s the rub. Prayuth, who engineered his own appointment as prime minister following the 2014 coup, has yet to formally attach himself to any of Thailand’s political parties, a necessary step ahead of what are promised to be legitimate elections in February.

Prayuth himself expressed his interest in remaining prime minister on Monday, although he stressed that no political parties have yet officially asked him to join, Khaosod reported.

That said, Prayuth’s recent comments to the press are affecting the air of a man who clearly believes his destiny is in his own hands.

“Whenever it is time to propose a candidate for prime minister, whenever it will be, I’m not sure if I will accept it. I will have to ask myself if what they [the parties] ask of me are the same of what I have in mind,” Prayuth told reporters on Monday.

“If that’s the case, then it’s a 100 percent chance. I will not do 10 percent or less,” the prime minister said vaguely.