Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda has advised Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to see people with different viewpoints as friends, not foes, saying this concept worked for him.
Gen Prem made the remark when Gen Prayut, also head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), led cabinet ministers and military top brass to deliver their New Year wishes to the statesman and receive his blessing at his Si Sao Thewes residence yesterday.
The privy council president thanked the prime minister and his delegation for their best wishes and advised them to place more emphasis on forging and maintaining friendships, which he described as instrumental to the smooth running of the country.
He told Gen Prayut to see people with different views as friends, saying he used to apply this concept in his work and it yielded a successful result. He said it served no good purpose to see people with different views as foes.
Different views were acceptable, but they must be expressed in a friendly manner.
Gen Prem also praised Gen Prayut for running the country with a strong determination to bring peace to society and drag Thais out of poverty. This made him not just a leader but a role model, Gen Prem said.
Gen Prayut vowed he would perform his duties to his fullest capacity and said he was happy to listen to Gen Prem's advice and guidance.
As he was about to leave the Si Sao Thewes residence, Gen Prayut turned to reporters and said: "[Of course] I'm friendly".
Gen Prayut said he treats Gen Prem as a role model in terms of his honesty and loyalty to the monarchy.
"We will continue to strictly follow everything. The privy council president led the way," said Gen Prayut.
As for the government's progress, he said several problems now have been resolved while some will require a longer-term effort.
The government will try its best while also listening to the opinions of people in all sectors, he added.
Most importantly, he said, peace and order will be lasting as the country is due to take up the role of Asean chair in 2019.
