Prayut clarifies he won't stay a day longer than in the time frame; meets Japan, China leaders in Milan
The May military coup remained a hot potato for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as he made his first appearance at an international forum - the Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan - with the ex-Army chief welcomed by supporters and denounced by protesters.
He clarified the putsch as an unavoidable response to overcome the political impasse and prevent the country from slipping into civil war.
The retired general told Thai officials and the business community in Europe that he would stay in power only within the designated timeframe and let a new government proceed with realising the junta's reform roadmap.
"I'm ready to resign. I want to resign every day but I can't afford to see people in trouble. I do not want to stay in office a day longer than was set.
"At present, I fight every day. When I'm home, I argue with my wife. She asks why I did not do this or that. I say I did it but some tasks are beyond my ability. Then, there is rancour. In conclusion, I'm unhappy. Everyone is unhappy," Prayut was quoted as saying by Thai News Agency.
Prayut is attending the two-day 10th Asem summit in Italy that ends today, to discuss cooperation between the two continents.
He raised the issues of climate change, non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, trafficking, cross-border diseases and natural disasters. He sought Europe's support for Asean to become the world's major food provider.
His trip to Europe is a most widely watched mission, as the European Union (EU) was strongly critical of the May 22 toppling of an elected government by troops. The EU froze various cooperative projects with Thailand and negotiations to establish a free-trade agreement.
Prayut has tried to arrange meetings on the sidelines with his counterparts from Europe and Asia to explain Thailand's political developments and his mission.
Yesterday, he got together with leaders from Asia including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to discuss bilateral ties and cooperation.
He explained the political situation to Abe and talked mostly about economic matters, notably investment in Myanmar's Dawei port scheme that Thailand wants Japan to join.
Prayut and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn put pressure on Thai envoys stationed in Europe to defend, if not legitimise, the coup and convince the EU that it was "business as usual" as well as look at the mutual benefits from economic cooperation.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary at the Foreign Ministry, said Western countries paid more attention to how Thailand would return to democracy and how it would ensure inclusivity in the reform process in the Kingdom.
"Our diplomats have to explain many issues that foreign counterparts are concerned about such as martial law, military courts, freedom of expression, human rights, human trafficking," he said.
Prayut managed to get a warm welcome from some of the Thai business community in Europe, who expressed support for his administration upon his arrival in Italy.
Many Thais living in exile after fleeing martial law and many others facing politically motivated criminal charges rallied in Milan, according to self-exiled academic and activist Junya Yimprasert.
Some Thais were seen holding up protest posters against Prayut in a demonstration that was widely viewed in social media.
Government Deputy Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd urged people not to circulate news of anti-Prayut demonstrations in Europe via social networks since the host nation Italy has welcomed the prime minister and some Thais there even presented flowers to him.
Meanwhile, New York-based Human Rights Watch urged leaders at Asem to press Prayut into improving the human rights situation and restoring civilian democratic rule.
"General Prayut should leave Milan with a clear message that Europe's leaders don't accept continued military rule in Thailand," said Brad Adams, Asia director of the NGO.
"The Thai junta should understand that there will be no return to business as usual until Thailand returns to democratic civilian rule through free and fair elections."
Asem is an informal process of dialogue and cooperation bringing together the 27 European Union member states and two other European countries with 20 Asian countries and the Asean Secretariat.