Teerakiat says he will stay in Cabinet despite Prawit remarks

By The Nation

 

 

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said on Tuesday he would remain in the Cabinet despite his recent remarks apparently attacking Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan regarding his high-profile watch scandal.

 

“You just cannot tender your resignation whenever something comes up. I’m responsible for continuing to work,” he said during a press conference at Government House.

 

On Monday, BBC Thai published an interview with Teerakiat while he was in London in which he said that if he were exposed to be in possession of a luxury watch, he would step down from his post.

 

In recent months, Prawit has been beset by a scandal after being shown to be in possession of multiple luxury watches.

 

The remarks came as a shock to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Cabinet, but members of the public have expressed support for the education minister, raising questions about Prayut’s decision on the matter.

 

Teerakiat said yesterday he had apologised to Prawit for his lack of etiquette shown in his criticism.

 

The remarks, quoted in BBC Thai on Monday, came during Teerakiat’s speech to Thai businessmen and students at the Thai Embassy in London last Friday, in which he compared the rule of law and ethical awareness between Thailand and the United Kingdom.

 

He said Thai people were so “thick skinned” that they would never resign from a position even when they were hit with a scandal, although he did not mention Prawit by name.

 

He also said he had not been aware that BBC Thai had recorded follow-up questions about the watch scandal.

 

“I’m still confident in PM Prayut and the government,” he said.

 

Teerakiat initially skipped a weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, but Prayut later ordered a private meeting at Government House.

 

Prawit previously explained to the National Anti-Corruption Commission that he had been in possession of the watches because he had borrowed them from friends, adding that he had already returned them.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30338738

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-13

The fallout from his remarks will likely be more severe than that from the actual crime. Such is how things work here. 

31 minutes ago, Katipo said:

The fallout from his remarks will likely be more severe than that from the actual crime. Such is how things work here. 

I get the drift of what you are saying when you describe what he said as a crime. I guess in the eyes of self appointed Prime Minister Prayut being truthful and honest is committing a crime in the law book of military juntas which seize power from democratically elected governments.  

 

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

Teerakiat said yesterday he had apologised to Prawit

Why would he apologise to Prawit if Prawit's name wasn't even mentioned. Really it is just a case of "if the cap fits, wear it" which has touched the fragile sensitivities of one of Prawit's mates.

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by Cadbury

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Teerakiat said yesterday he had apologised to Prawit for his lack of etiquette shown in his criticism.

Needed criticism badly lacking in a crony infested government.  

18 hours ago, Katipo said:

The fallout from his remarks will likely be more severe than that from the actual crime. Such is how things work here. 

 

Indeed. Being caught out was an inconvenience. Not being able to brush things aside with dismissive lies due to the advances in IT and social media makes it a bigger inconvenience. But was being handled.

 

But someone breaking ranks and daring to publicly say what many might be thinking, and criticizing a senior? Now that will be treated much more seriously. 

20 hours ago, Cadbury said:

 

 

Why would he apologise to Prawit if Prawit's name wasn't even mentioned. Really it is just a case of "if the cap fits, wear it" which has touched the fragile sensitivities of one of Prawit's mates.

Lol.... everyone knows who he was referencing, beyond any semblance of doubt. 

however, why indeed apologies to anyone for telling the truth... unless perhaps it’s an apology to the people, for the governments performance (or lack thereof), because it’s the public that’s being abused and let down, not prawit.

There is no room for any type of integrity in politics.

8 hours ago, Katipo said:

There is no room for any type of integrity in politics.

Lmao.... so I was wondering if I could link “politician” to “integrity” and google gave me this as its first selection

 

note the bottom line!

 

 

A post containing a link to Bangkok Post has been removed. 

On 2/13/2018 at 3:21 PM, webfact said:

He said Thai people were so “thick skinned”

wow; i bet a Lot of expats would differ on that for many good reasons