Real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin made clear today (Friday) that he will not accept any ministerial portfolio other than that of prime minister if the Pheu Thai Party becomes the core party in a new government coalition after the election.

Srettha, who was recently appointed chief advisor to Paetongtarn Shinawatra, head of the “Pheu Thai family”, explained that, as a Thai citizen, he believes he can be useful to Thailand and the prime minister is powerful and important enough to get the jobs done.

Asked by a reporter whether his statement means that he will not accept any political post short of the top job, he responded “No, I will not accept.”

He did say, however, that he can remain the advisor to Paetongtarn without a political appointment, because he is a member of the Pheu Thai Party.

The real estate tycoon turned politician maintains that he does not intend to put pressure on the party to give him the prime minister’s post. “We have known one another for a long time and I know myself. It is not my habit (to put pressure on other people). The senior people in the party know me,” he said.

For the time being, he said that his role is as the chief advisor to Paetongtarn, adding that the next step is for the party’s executive committee to nominate three candidates for the prime minister’s post.

The party appointed Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, a former key member of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, to head the party’s economic team today, which includes Pansak Vinyaratn, former advisor to prime ministers Chatichai Choonhavan and Thaksin Shinawatra, former deputy prime minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, economist Supavud Saicheua, former Thai trade representative Panpree Phahithanukorn and Srettha.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)