Opposition leader and People's Party head Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut's reference to the "blue regime", and his sharp criticism of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for inviting members of the Privy Council to a water-shortage meeting on May 19 have sparked a backlash against his party and a heated debate on social media over who really represents the "blue regime" as the People's Party -- the "orange party" -- sees it.
On May 21, Mr Natthaphong criticised Mr Anutin for holding a meeting with nine privy councillors -- among them former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha -- at the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command to discuss responses to an anticipated severe drought. Mr Anutin later said the councillors had merely listened to a briefing by officials and offered no suggestions or advice.
