Anupong said they would be invited to meet him on Friday, although no specific timeframe for the collection of the public’s opinions had yet been established.

Whether they are able to collect opinions within 10 days or longer than that, “it’s still fine”, he added.

The four questions were raised on Friday by the premier during his 50-minute weekly television programme, “Returning Happiness to the People of the Country”. They are:

– Do you think the next election will give Thailand a government with good governance?

– If that is not the case, what will you do?

– Elections are an integral part of democracy, but are elections without regard for the country’s future right or wrong?

– Do you think bad politicians should be given the chance to return to politics, and if conflict re-emerges, who will solve it and by what means?

Prayut encouraged members of the public to submit their answers to the Damrongdhamma Centre’s provincial branches, who would forward the responses to the Interior Ministry.

His move has become politicised during the past few days, as politicians view that the premier will use answers to the questions to gauge views ahead of the coming general election.