"Sihasak" said he is not interested in politics, while "Anutin" declared there is only a main plan, no backup, and raised "Sihasak's" hand after media asked about recruiting him as a prime minister candidate.
Mr. Sihasak Puangkaew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said after arriving at the Bhumjaithai Party for a photo session that he is not running for either party-list or constituency MP.
When reporters asked if he was one of the Bhumjaithai Party's prime minister candidates, Mr. Sihasak replied that they already have two. When asked if he was the third candidate, he said there can only be two.
Regarding whether he might serve as a backup plan if someone withdraws, Mr. Sihasak said, “No, the existing candidates are suitable. I came for the photo because they asked me to, not because I was recruited or running as an MP or prime minister candidate.”
When asked if he was interested in politics, Mr. Sihasak said he is not, but he is interested in performing his duties as foreign minister to the best of his ability.
Regarding whether he would be foreign minister if Bhumjaithai becomes the next government, Mr. Sihasak said it depends on suitability.
When pressed whether he is not interested in politics or just currently helping the government, Mr. Sihasak said he is already involved in politics now. He feels responsible and thinks it suits him, but he is not very adept in real politics.
While the interview was ongoing, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, arrived at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters for a meeting with prospective party-list MP candidates. When asked if Mr. Sihasak was approached as a prime minister candidate, Mr. Anutin did not answer verbally but shook and raised Mr. Sihasak's hand, then led him back into the party office, saying he would go upstairs to discuss work.
Reporters then asked if Mr. Sihasak was the backup plan the prime minister had mentioned. Mr. Anutin asked rhetorically who Mr. Sihasak would be a backup for, then said there is no backup plan, only the main plan.
At the end, when asked if Mr. Sihasak could be a prime minister candidate, Mr. Anutin did not answer, only smiled at the media and immediately went upstairs at the party office.