While still speaking at public events which he has presided over, Prayut has uttered only a few words, instead of usually lengthy responses, when questioned by reporters.

Every Tuesday, when the weekly Cabinet meeting is held, Prayut normally talks to the media for about half an hour. However, last Tuesday he refused to give spoken interviews and instead scribbled responses to reporters’ questions on sheets of paper.

A source close to Prayut said that he would continue the practice for tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.

Last week, the Government Spokesperson team took Prayut’s handwritten notes and sent the transcribed text to reporters via the Government House’s chat room on the Line mobile app.

On Monday, when queried about his tentative visit to the US next month, Prayut briefly said: “There is no confirmation yet.”

In order for the visit to proceed, the Thai government would first have to receive an official invitation from the White House before the two countries can work on dates.

The initial invitation was made by US President Donald Trump in April via a fifteen-minute introductory phone call with Prayut.