Suranand hired to provide 'correct image' for the PM

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has named former minister Suranand Vejjajiva as her personal spokesman in the face of the controversy involving her February 8 meeting at Four Seasons Hotel.

"I was given the job about two weeks ago because the prime minister has a heavy workload," Suranand said yesterday, disclosing that he is not being paid for this job.

Suranand, who cannot hold formal office because he is one of the 111 barred Thai Rak Thai executives, said he had been working alongside Yingluck since last year's flood crisis. He was also involved in organising the television show that serves as a platform for Yingluck's weekly address every Saturday.

He said his new duties did not overlap those of the government spokesman because he is meant to focus on issues that involve Yingluck alone. He said he would put his chat show and other media activities on hold for the time being because he needs to devote full attention to the prime minister.

Today he will host Yingluck's weekly television show, which will be broadcast live from a market in Bangkok's Min Buri district.

Suranand's office is right next to Yingluck's in the Thai Khu Fah building and his main task will be to ensure that the prime minister's image is projected correctly in the media, he said.

Acting government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang said she was also looking forward to the verbal clashes that are bound to erupt between Suranand and his cousin, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Meanwhile, Yingluck hinted yesterday that she would not explain her controversial meeting in person, but was drafting a statement of defence to be sent to the Ombudsman's Office.

The office has launched an inquiry into Yingluck's conduct and she has 30 days to defend herself.

Chief Ombudsman Panit Nitithanprapas said on Tuesday that Yingluck needed to explain the February 8 meeting after the advocacy group Green Politics filed a petition seeking investigation.