Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Sunday, when he celebrated his 85th birthday in advance, expressed sympathy to the government for having been strongly criticised for its plan to buy submarines from China. Gen Chavalit will turn 85 on Monday, May 15. Gen Chavalit, who appeared with a walking stick, told the well-wishers about a fall which put him in hospital for more than six months for treatment. As a former supreme commander, Gen Chavalit expressed sympathy for the government and the navy for having been criticised for the plan to buy submarines from China. Asked about the political future of New Aspiration Party (NAP), a political party he once led, Gen Chavalit said he had no particular plans for the party for the time-being.

Source: Bangkok Post May 14, 2017 05:15 UTC