The government was also applying royal guidance to the plan, aiming to balance production systems and usage in every capacity, the prime minister said.

Royal guidance in regard to protecting and restoring natural resources and the development of society by building people’s self-reliance had been successful, he said, as demonstrated by 4,000 water-resource development projects.

The government would employ Pracha Rath, or “state of people”, projects to link value chains together, Prayut said.

The Pracha Rath mechanism is meant to ensure that economic reforms integrate with the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Prayut also urged concerned parties to cooperate, adding that he promised not to leave any sector behind.

The plan comes as a harsh drought severely affects the country. Prayut said the government had determined the water cycle was disturbed, leading to imbalances and eventually the drought.

He said previous uncontrolled agricultural policies had led to the destruction of 10 million rai (1.6 million hectares) of forest and water resources.

Water resources had been abused for the benefit of particular groups, Prayut added, and agriculture, which accounted for 71 per cent of water use nationwide, had been affected.

Prem, a former prime minister, said Prayut was protecting the country and maintaining love, unity and happiness for the people.

“The prime minister has always performed the traditional duty of a Thai citizen. And he deserves to be an example for people in our country,” Prem said.

The prime minister led Cabinet members, Armed Forces commanders-in-chief, the national police chief and other top officials to call on Prem at his Si Sao Thewes residence on the occasion of Songkran, the traditional Thai new year. The group paid respects to Prem in a water ceremony and received his blessing.

Prayut also praised Prem, saying the chief privy councillor was a good example of someone who was loyal to the monarchy and who had devoted himself to the country. The PM added that he and his colleagues would follow in Prem’s footsteps.

He also wished Prem happiness and good health and asked for his blessings for the government’s mission to work for the country.

In response, Prem wished the prime minister and his government success. He also extended his good wishes to the Thai people.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya were absent during yesterday’s visit to Prem’s residence.

THE PRIME MINISTER reacted angrily yesterday to criticism by politicians opposing an additional question for the referendum on the draft constitution, saying it was a matter for voters.

General Prayut Chan-o-cha said that he was convinced many people agreed with what he was doing.

“It’s fine if they [politicians] disagree with the question. In fact, they have no right to decide whether to disagree or not. This is a national referendum and it’s a matter for the people,” Prayut said.

He was responding to comments from Democrat Party politicians criticising the draft constitution and the additional referendum question proposed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

On Sunday, the Democrats said they would vote to reject the NLA’s additional question as to whether voters agreed to empower selected senators to jointly vote with elected members of Parliament to select a prime minister. Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the scenario would create an imbalance within the legislature.

Yesterday, Prayut was asked if he thought the Democrats’ opposition would affect the referendum results, given the party has considerable voter support.

“I think I have a lot of people who side with me. Let’s see if people in the middle will believe them or me,” he said.

Prayut said politicians seemed to be worried that they would be unable do whatever they liked under the new constitution, as they did in the past. “They try to do anything they like because they think they come from the people,” he said.

The PM was talking to reporters during a visit to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda at his Si Sao Thewet residence yesterday, where he led a group of government officials and military commanders to pay respects on the occasion of the Songkran traditional new year.

Later in the day at Government House, Prayut complained that he had headaches over the past few days because he felt like he was “getting punched in the face” by politicians. He declined to give further media interviews in the afternoon.

Asked whether he had a plan if politicians boycotted the next election, Prayut said: “That’s good. It’s fine if they don’t run. They must keep their word. People who say they are not going to contest the election should do so.”

When asked if he was referring to the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties, the country’s largest political blocs, the PM responded that they could choose not to contest the election, adding that other parties would.

Both Pheu Thai and Democrat leaders have now criticised the draft constitution. Pheu Thai members are openly calling on its supporters to vote against the charter while the Democrats have not made their standpoint clear on whether to vote against the draft.

The PM said parties still would not be allowed to hold press conferences on political issues. “Why do I have to allow them a forum? Should I give them more chances to scold me?” he asked.

Colonel Piyapong Klinpan, a spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order, said the junta would resume actions against suspicious political movements after Songkran.

Meanwhile, Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC), urged the Election Commission to keep an eye on unnamed “immoral parties” attempting to distort the draft charter’s contents.

In Kamphaeng Phet yesterday, military officers seized more than 1,600 boxes of common household medicine sets that Democrat politicians in the province distributed to local residents as part of the upcoming Thai New Year.

On their cover, the boxes feature Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s image and the message: “With love and care, Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat Party leader”.

There was no explanation from the officials involved. But some observers said it could be linked to the recent seizure of hundreds of red plastic bowls featuring a message from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra that was viewed by the junta as containing a political message. Pheu Thai politicians were to distribute the bowls to party supporters.