The government is seeking to keep a tight rein on political parties ahead of the upcoming general election as all state agencies have been told to monitor parties' election campaign promises closely.
The government claims the move is aimed at helping steer people clear of "pipe dreams and unrealistic and impractical goals that will cause confusion".
Government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta said yesterday that parties are now in election mode and rolling out policies to woo voters ahead of the upcoming election.
However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha voiced concern that several of their policies may be unrealistic and impractical, so he has instructed all state agencies to keep a close watch on their policies, Mr Buddhipongse quoted Gen Prayut as saying.
In particular, if those parties twist and distort government policies, relevant agencies must step forward to correct them right away, the spokesman quoted the premier as saying.
Several parties have come up with policies which require a great deal of spending without considering whether they are practical, said Mr Buddhipongse, also the PM's deputy secretary-general for political affairs.
"The prime minister does not want the people to look at their policies superficially, but they should consider whether those policies can be put into practice. The prime minister does not want the people to get confused and believe in things that are difficult to make materialise," Mr Buddhipongse said.
The prime minister wants to ensure that all party policies do not end up as pipe dreams, the spokesman said.
Asked if this will also apply to the pro-regime Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), Mr Buddhipongse only said that Gen Prayut was not specific to any particular party.
The PPRP has floated a policy of turning agricultural purpose Sor Por Kor land documents into title deeds, saying that the plan would serve as a great benefit to farmers.
PPRP heavyweight Suchart Tancharoen suggested Sor Por Kor land should be used in other sectors such as industrial farming, healthcare resorts, or in any other business activities that are deemed fit.
The proposed policy was repudiated by Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach, who said any other practice was not allowed by law.
According to a source at a meeting of the Board of Investment yesterday, Gen Prayut told the meeting that the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme has now met with strong resistance from certain political parties on social media.
As part of their election campaign, those parties said they would scrap the EEC if they win power. They have also promised to cut bus and train fares, the source quoted Gen Prayut as saying.
The prime minister has also instructed agencies to constantly monitor social media.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on the Election Commission to ensure fairness to all parties during the election campaign. He warned those in power not to use their authority to gain an unfair political advantage over others.
Mr Abhisit referred to a case in which the Phayao Provincial Administration Organisation refused to allow Pheu Thai executives to use a sports stadium for a campaign rally on Thursday.
