Bangkok: The Prime Minister instructed the tariff negotiating team to avoid letting the United States "see through their tactics" to the point where Thailand is at a disadvantage.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister held his first meeting with heads of government agencies, emphasizing the government's stability and instructing all ministries to integrate their work for the country, without dividing responsibilities among ministries. He also instructed the team negotiating the US tax agreement to prepare information thoroughly and warned against letting the US "exploit our tactics" to the point where Thailand is at a disadvantage.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting of heads of government agencies at the ministerial level or equivalent, thanking all civil servants for their appropriate conduct during the recent election, ensuring that no party felt any advantage or disadvantage. He also stated that he never requested civil servants to participate in activities that might overlap with the election campaign.
The Prime Minister also stated that if everyone were free from official positions, they would all be like brothers and sisters. He cited the Police Commission meeting regarding the selection of the National Police Chief as an example, saying, "Please have confidence in the decision, because I have addressed the National Police Chief as father, uncle, older brother, and now I have to call him younger brother." Regarding relations with Cambodia, the Prime Minister stated that the government has already informed them of Thailand's readiness to restore relations, but negotiations must be based on Thailand's established principles. Areas that can be discussed without affecting national interests are welcome, but issues that put Thailand at a disadvantage will not be allowed to be used as conditions in negotiations.
Regarding negotiations with foreign countries, he emphasized the necessity of cooperation from all ministries, stating that the head of the negotiating team must receive complete information and support from all government agencies. He warned that requiring further requests for information from individual ministries upon returning from negotiations would put the country at a significant disadvantage. 'The United States will figure out our tactics, and we will be at a disadvantage,' he concluded, urging all civil servants to 'not be complacent, because the term of service ends at midnight on October 1st.'