Srettha Thavisin became Thailand’s prime minister in August 2023, putting an end to nine years of the country’s military dominating its politics. In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, the businessman-turned-politician said he "truly believes" the future of Thailand will be more democratic.
Will the future of Thailand be more democratic than the past? "Yes I truly believe [so]," the Thai premier told FRANCE 24 in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
Thavisin is the country's first civilian prime minister in nine years. The army's coup in 2014 overthrew the democratically elected government at the time. "I can't worry for things I have no control [of]," he replied when asked about the risk of another coup. "My goal is clearly to make the lives of the Thai people better."
Turning to the conflict in neighbouring Myanmar, Thavisin asserted that "at the moment", it "hasn't reached the point where there is a full civil war".
"The first word we should discuss is humanitarian assistance," he added. "If there are people who need help, then we will help them."
The Thai premier also spoke about a "four-eyes meeting" with French President Emmanuel Macron on March 11, in which the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine.
"I think he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wouldn't dare to invade other nations," Thavisin said.
