Prayut ‘regretted his angry outbursts’, was hurt by social media comments

Prayut was giving a farewell interview to reporters while having lunch with them at prepared tables on the lawns within the compound.

Traditional northeastern dishes were served to Prayut and the reporters in an amicable atmosphere. Prayut exclaimed “delicious” when he tried some Isaan dishes.

Among the dishes were “hoy thod” (fried oysters), “pad thai” (thai fried noodle), “somtam”, fried chicken, “khao mun kai” (streamed chicken with oily rice, and “nam tok moo” (Isaan-traditional spicy pork).

Some deputy prime ministers and ministers attached to the PM’s Office also joined the farewell lunch.

Prayut sounded apologetic when he told reporters that he felt sorry every time he burst out in anger when giving interviews to them during the past nine years.

“After the outburst, I used to feel sorry and think that I should not have said it,” Prayut said.

He said he was not angry when reporters published reports criticising him because he knew that he was co-working with the media.

Then Prayut turned to speak to outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. “This one has had no issue with anyone,” he said.

Anutin smiled and replied: “I am a sweet type.”

“So, I must be a dark type,” Prayut replied.

In response to a reporter who asked him whether he would compose more political songs, Prayut replied that he had written seven songs and that should be enough.

He said he loved “Saphan”, or "bridge", the most. He got inspiration from the song “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.

He said he loved the “Saphan” song because it reflected himself who allowed himself to be a bridge for everybody to step on to move forward to success and a brighter future.

When asked to rate his performance in office, he said he would give himself 50-60% for some projects, as they could not progress fast enough due to legal restrictions. For projects executed quickly, he would give himself 80-90%.

Prayut said he would not feel lonely and he would spend more time with his family.

“I will compensate for not having spent much time with my family when I had to work hard during the past nine years,” Prayut said.

He said he had no plan to travel, as he did not know many places. He added that he had heard outgoing Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda would be visiting Japan after leaving office but he would not join the trip.

After leaving Government House, Prayut said he would have to continue signing key documents from his home as caretaker prime minister until the new Cabinet takes office.

Prayut then conveyed his message to members of social networks, that he would not stay any longer for them to attack him.

“But I am not angry against anyone no matter how they attacked me,” Prayut said.

But he admitted that every comment hurt his feelings so he tried not to read comments on social networks.

After lunch, Prayut walked out to say goodbye to Government House officials who had lined up in front of the Command Building until the Thai Ku Fah where his office is located.

He flashed the love sign with his fingers to the officials and media while walking up the stairs of the Thai Ku Fah Building where he paid respects to the statue of Brahma.

Inside the building, officials waited in a line to offer him flowers and bid farewell.

Prayut told the officials that he didn’t have to speak a lot as they knew his mind from having worked together for nine years. He then sang two songs he had composed about the promise to bring peace to the country.

Before Prayut left in his car at 2pm, PM secretary-general Pirapan Salirathavibhaga led a group of Government House officials to see him off in front of the Thai Ku Fah Building.

Pirapan said he and Government House officials loved and respected Prayut as he had devoted himself to serving the country for nine years and to restore peace and order.

Prayut took photos with the officials and walked to greet his supporters who waited in front of the building before leaving in his car, amid shouts of “Uncle Tu, Uncle Tu”.