Hospitalized PM May Step Down

[Guest BKKvisitor]

 

By BangkokPost.com

 

Amidst unsubstantiated rumours that he was considering stepping down within a month, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has suddenly checked into a hospital for a few days.

 

The premier was admitted to the Bangkok General Hospital on Monday and was planning to stay for a while in order to receive a thorough medical check-up.

 

Khunying Chitravadee Chulanont, the premier's wife, told reporters that there was nothing about Gen Surayud's health to be worried about, and that the visit to the hospital was "a normal check-up."

 

There was no warning to the public that Gen Surayud intended to go to the hospital. When asked if the premier would stay at the Bangkok Hospital overnight on Monday, his wife replied, "Yes."

 

Doctors at the hospital held a press conference on Monday afternoon, saying that Gen Surayud would be able to go back to work on Thursday - the beginning of a five-day Songkran (Thai New Year) long weekend.

 

They said his condition was normal and that they would spend two to three days to do a thorough check-up on him.

 

On Monday morning, the official government spokesman said Gen Surayud would visit the South this week, following the Tuesday cabinet meeting. His statement indicated that the spokesman was taken by surprise by the hospital announcement.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham said he had no comment on the rumours that Gen Surayud intended to step down. But he said the premier was under heavy political pressure.

 

Mr Paiboon, who also is minister for social development and human security said he was urging fellow ministers to work together to achieve the government's objectives.

 

Spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said the premier had cancelled all appointments for the entire day on Monday because of personal business, which he did not explain.

 

Gen Surayud has re-scheduled and shortened his planned trip to the South, the spokesman announced on Monday afternoon.

 

He will be present in the South for several hours during a post-Songkran, three-day media tour of the restive area from April 18-20. The premier will be at a discussion forum in the South on April 19, but return to Bangkok on the same day, Mr Yongyuth said.

 

Mr Yongyuth said, however, that the day off work was not related to the rumours the premier was considering quitting as head of the government appointed by the military coup committee last year.

 

"It's not relevant," he said. "The premier has spoken clearly that he will not resign."

 

Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan denied Monday saying that he feared Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont could resign within a month.

 

"It's just a rumour," he said. "The premier never said he would resign. On the contrary, I told some of the People's Alliance for Democracy members that Gen Surayud won't quit before his term ends."

 

He added that Gen Surayud told the ministers to be "as firm as land and ignore who ever steps on them."

 

According to reports in Thai newspapers this morning, Samran Rodpetch, a National Legislative Assembly member and a former speaker at PAD rallies, said Mr Thirapat expressed concern that Gen Surayud might resign in May.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=117973