File photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Wissanu Krea-ngam, a former deputy prime minister, has agreed to serve as an advisor to the Secretariat of the Cabinet, Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed yesterday.

 

Wissanu, a renowned legal expert who has served in various Thai governments, most recently stepped down from the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration last year. At that time, he cited poor health, including diabetes and kidney disease, and vowed to retire from politics. However, Srettha approached him recently, and Wissanu has accepted the advisory role.

 

Prime Minister Srettha disclosed that the order for Wissanu's appointment is currently being drafted. "I already met and invited Khun Wissanu to take the position. He is ready to do the job," Srettha told reporters. The move comes amid Srettha’s legal challenges, notably a Constitutional Court case where 40 senators seek to strip him of his ministerial status.

 

 

 

The senators argue that Srettha’s appointment of Phichit Chuenban as PM Office Minister violated the Constitution. Phichit, who was sentenced to six months in prison for his involvement in the "snack box" bribery scandal over a decade ago, resigned from his position just before the court agreed to hear the petition on May 23. While Phichit’s fate has been decided, Srettha’s ministerial future remains uncertain.

 

Srettha dismissed claims that bringing Wissanu into the team highlights a lack of legal expertise within his government. He urged the public to await the details of the appointment.

 

Addressing the press, Wissanu stated that his role as an advisor is non-political, exempting him from declaring his assets. He also clarified that he is not the chief legal counsel in Srettha's ongoing court battle. Instead, that responsibility falls on former PM Office Minister Phichit Chuenban.

 

Despite accepting the advisory role, Wissanu emphasized he won't take on any political posts due to his health issues.

 

-- 2024-05-29

 

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

he cited poor health, including diabetes and kidney disease,

Amazing how quickly these old politicians recover from serious diseases.

This Clown needs all the advice he can get, but will he listen, He is just hell bent on Tourism, and Begging. He has to Realize there just isn't money to spend on his 'pipe' dreams. Best advice is move over and have an elected government, but of course that will never happen if there is a Threat to 'Him up there' being under scrutiny. We all pay tax except him of coarse. 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Srettha approached him recently, and Wissanu has accepted the advisory role.

Trying to stop the house of cards form falling down?

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

He is just hell bent on Tourism, and Begging.

To be honest Thailand doesn't have much else to offer... cheap labour for foreign factories, and fun girls at the resorts.

The PM is out of his depth. He has no idea of the games the jail runaway from Dubai is playing.