Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed speculation about divisions among the party’s key figures, insisting there are no conflicts within the party and no need for reconciliation talks.
Mr Anutin was responding on Tuesday to questions about a photograph he posted on Facebook showing himself with Newin Chidchob, the Buri Ram-based party patriarch, and Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, a key party figure in southern Thailand.
Asked whether the meeting involved efforts to clear the air amid rumours of tensions, Mr Anutin laughed off the suggestion.
“Why do we need to clear the air? Tell me why we would need to clear the air,” he said.
He described the gathering as an internal matter, saying outsiders should not speculate about relationships within the party.
“Do you live in my house? If not, then don’t ask. This is a family matter,” Mr Anutin said, adding that the three men had worked together for many years and their relationship was not a matter for public scrutiny.
“Even if there really were a problem, I would deal with it at home. But there has never been one,” he said. “We are like brothers and respect one another.”
He also criticised what he described as poor-quality political commentary and reporting, accusing some commentators of lacking facts while portraying themselves as political analysts.
The rumours gained further attention after Karuna Chidchob, Mr Newin’s wife, posted a message on social media stating: “Cut off the schemers. Stay with the good people. Cut off the traitors. We are grown-ups, don’t make things complicated.”
Mr Anutin said he saw nothing unusual in the post and questioned whether there was anything wrong with its message.
Separately, Mr Phiphat rejected reports of friction among the trio. He said they meet every week and speak by telephone almost daily.
“We have been like this for not just one or two years, but probably around 20 years,” Mr Phiphat said. “We came together and have stayed together.”
He said Mr Newin paid little attention to such rumours and described attempts to create divisions within the party as a common political tactic.
