“Beautiful. I’m happy and content,” Prime Minister Generl Prayut Chan-o-cha said about the new mint-green ceramic basins, according to Renu Tunkachivangoon, deputy secretary-general at the PM’s Office.

Delivered direct from Ratchaburi via the management of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, the new basins have replaced their terra cotta counterparts, reportedly costing Bt5,000 each, which had been in place on the grass lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fah building since January.

However, just a day after their placement, the earthenware basins were found to be broken and leaking.

Moreover, as this was discovered at a time when reconstruction projects at Government House buildings had already gone beyond the designated deadline, it contributed to questions being raised as to whether there had been any irregularities over procurement in the Government House reconstruction and decoration projects.

Perhaps to cut matters short this time, Prayut decided to purchase all the brightly coloured ceramic pots out of his own money.

General Vilas Aroonsri, the prime minister’s secretary-general, said ceramic was a more durable material than baked earth, while the bright mint colour complemented Government House’s grassed areas.

The lotus is Prayut’s favourite flower, as the premier once said himself.

He also tends to favour violet and blue lotuses, the colours representing Saturday, the day of the week on which he was born.