POLITICS
WASSANA NANUAM
Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda has declined the government's offer of a position car worth 6.5 million baht. The cabinet approved on Tuesday a 87.5-million-baht budget to buy position cars for the Privy Council president and 18 other privy councillors to replace their old vehicles which have been in use for six years. Position cars for privy councillors were worth 4.5 million baht each and the president's 6.5 million baht.
The cabinet also endorsed a 10% salary increase for the privy councillors' secretaries and chauffeurs.
A source close to Gen Prem said he decided to decline the offer because he had never used the Privy Council chief position car since assuming the presidency. Currently, he uses a light brown BMW sedan, a position car assigned to him in his role as statesman.
The source also said he decided to forego the traditional reception at his Si Sao Theves residence for well-wishers on his 88th birthday next Tuesday when top military leaders and senior police officers usually turn up at his residence to convey birthday greetings.
''The situation in the country is still not good,'' he was quoted as telling a military staff officer to notify leaders of the armed forces.
The source said the reasons for his decision not to hold the usual reception were the chaos in the country due to political problems, disunity, continued rallies by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy and ongoing violence in the South.
In addition, the country was busy in preparation for the cremation ceremonies for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.
The source said Gen Prem did not want to be viewed as supporting certain military officers ahead of the upcoming annual military reshuffle.
He normally opens his residence three times a year _ at New Year, at Songkran and on his Aug 26 birthday _ to allow the chiefs of the three armed forces and the national police chief to lead senior officers to wish him well and to receive his blessings.
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