Bhumjaithai’s Anutin says relationship with Thaksin is not as it once was

Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul says that his relationship with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not the same as it was, following his party’s recent withdrawal from the coalition government.

The former deputy prime minister and interior minister laughed when asked by a reporter about his relationship with Thaksin and said, “How can it be the same. We have not talked with each other for quite some time. If he (Thaksin) loved me like before, he should not have taken away the interior portfolio.”

Prior to the Bhumjaithai party’s withdrawal from the coalition government over a week ago, the Pheu Thai party had demanded that it give up the interior portfolio, then held by Anutin, in exchange for the public health portfolio.

The Bhumjaithai party declined and broke from the government after the leaked conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen provoked a public uproar.

As an opposition party, Anutin says the party is now free to vote at its own discretion in parliament and will reject the government’s entertainment complex (casino) bill.

As far as the budget bill is concerned, he said the party will do its job as an opposition party.

Meanwhile, the party’s spokesperson, Nan Boonthida Somchai, denies an allegation that the party is behind the protests, planned for this Saturday in many provinces to coincide with the mass protest at the Victory Monument in Bangkok to demand the resignation of Paetongtarn.

She explained that the protests are inspired by the patriotic sentiments of the people.