Nothing political about kissing Paetongtarn’s hand, says Thai PM Srettha

BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed questions about him kissing Ms Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s hand after

she was named Pheu Thai Party’s leader

on Saturday, saying it had no political significance.

Responding to criticism on Sunday, he said the gesture signified his love and care for Ms Paetongtarn, as he considers her part of his family.

Also, he said, his lips did not really touch her hand.

Many Pheu Thai critics condemned the action after a clip of Mr Srettha kissing Ms Paetongtarn’s hand went viral.

Several said this gesture showed that despite being prime minister, he was kowtowing to the new Pheu Thai leader.

Others likened the gesture to a gangster showing respect to the mafia boss, like in one of the films of The Godfather franchise.

“Does this show that Paetongtarn is a Godmother?” one Facebook user asked.

Some critics even went so far as to suggest that the gesture showed that Mr Srettha may step down for Ms Paetongtarn to succeed him as premier soon.

Others asked if Thailand had two prime ministers right now.

Mr Srettha responded to these comments by saying that when Pheu Thai members attend a party meeting, they leave behind their political posts and join as party members.

He said he and Ms Paetongtarn have loved and respected each other as “family members” for a long time.

“It’s just love, attachment and care that we have towards each other. It’s a family affair,” he said, adding that the issue should not be discussed any further.

“It’s the Pheu Thai family, and now I’m wearing the hat as the prime minister, while Paetongtarn is doing her duty as the chair of the soft power management committee. We understand each other well, and Thailand has only one prime minister.”

Ms Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is considered Pheu Thai’s patriarch. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK