Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin discussed overcoming political divisions with predecessor Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday in his first meeting as prime minister as he prepares to form a cupboard from a crowded 11-party alliance that features fierce rivals.
Srettha advanced through a parliamentary vote to develop into prime minister on Tuesday and can lead a difficult coalition of military-backed parties that has repeatedly maneuvered to topple governments led by his Pheu Thai party.
Thursday’s meeting underscores the delicate détente in Thai politics, with Prayuth masterminding a 2014 coup against Pheu’s last government in Thailand as head of the ultra-royalist army. Prayuth remained in power for the following nine years.
“The existing divisions will be difficult to overcome. One conversation won’t end the matter. It will take some time,” Srettha said about their meeting.
“I understand his intentions, that he wants to beat divisions and he cares concerning the country.”
Asked by reporters what advice he gave Prayuth, he replied: “to stay calm, patient and protect the nation and the monarchy.”
Real estate tycoon Srettha was thrust into politics just just a few months ago and has no experience in government. He desired to temper Thursday’s expectations regarding the soon-to-be composition of the cupboard.
There has been speculation that Sretta’s surprisingly smooth rise to the highest job is an element of a secret agreement between Thailand’s warring elites that included Tuesday’s dramatic homecoming of influential Pheu Thai billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra after 15 years of self-exile.
Thaksin, 74, was hospitalized with hypertension on his first night in prison, where he’s serving an eight-year sentence for abuse of power and conflict of interest.
He and Pheu Thai have denied the existence of an agreement with their military and conservative rivals.
The media are also speculating on who will take key positions in the federal government, and a few suggest that Srettha himself will tackle the extra role of finance minister.
The recent government will then must present its policy goals to a joint session of parliament before it may well start work at the top of September.
The recent administration faces a key task of revitalizing Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which, in accordance with central bank forecasts, will grow by just below 3.6 percent this 12 months.
