Chadchart Sittipunt, a former transport minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government, has declined to take a position as a national strategy drafter, saying he has not yet fully grasped the idea behind the regime's national strategy.
Mr Chadchart wrote on Facebook that he has turned down the position as a member of one of the six new national strategy drafting committees.
The announcement of the Prime Minister's Office concerning the establishment of the committees was published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.
Mr Chadchart has reportedly been approached to sit on a panel on competitiveness building. The PM's Office later put his name down for a slot on a committee.
He wrote on Facebook that he could not take up the position because he did not yet fully understand the idea and principle behind the national strategy.
Mr Chadchart said the task of drafting the national strategy was important and requires a great deal of devotion and commitment. He added he was also busy with his full-time job at a public company and was restricted by the constraints of family life.
He said he will today hand in a letter resigning from the position to the PM's Office.
The six drafting panels, which consist of 70 members in total, involve national security, building competitiveness, development and potential building of human resources, creating opportunity and social equality, creating an environmentally friendly quality of life, and ensuring a balance in state sector management.
Each panel will map out the national strategy by conducting hearings from various parties.
They need to complete their strategy plans within 120 days or by January, Mr Wissanu said.
The national strategy plan will then be tabled to the cabinet meeting and proposed to the National Legislative Assembly for approval. It also requires royal endorsement.
It is likely the plan will come into force in the middle of next year, which is when the various parties are obliged to proceed with it, Mr Wissanu said.
Each panel has a five-year tenure, during which they need to follow up, oversee and advise agencies proceeding with the plan, he said.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Sunday the government respected Mr Chadchart's decision to decline the position.
It would not have any impact on the government and would not cause the government to lose face.
Someone else will be asked to fill the position, Lt Gen Sansern said.
Also Sunday, Pheu Thai Party MP for Chiang Rai Samart Kaewmeechai denied reports Mr Chadchart had refused to take the position on the national strategy panel at the behest of senior party members.
Mr Chadchart had his personal reasons to refuse the position and the party had no right to meddle in his decision, he said.
