Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan appeared in public on Monday after being off the national stage for 12 days as reports circulated that he had been hospitalised.

Looking weary and leaner, Prawit refused to speak about his rumoured sickness. “I’m okay. If I’m not, I won’t come to work here today. There’s nothing,” Prawit said.

Prawit returned to work last Thursday after being absent since May 17 but remained at the 1st Infantry Regiment.

The 71-year-old retired general went to the Defence Ministry only when he had a meeting.

Regarding the bombing at Phramongkutklao Hospital last Monday, Prawit said that authorities have interviewed between 40 to 50 people, including hospital staff, in the hunt for those involved.

While the bombing occurred at the hospital’s Wongsuwan Room, named after him, Prawit said he is not worried.

“I believe that doesn’t signal anything,” he said. “It also won’t affect the roadmap to the next election.”