Suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited Ayutthaya province to inspect flood prevention efforts while his deputy Prawit Wongsuwon, now the acting premier, is touring provinces to inspect water management.
Gen Prayut, who still holds the cabinet defence portfolio, went to Wat Kasatrathirat Worawihan in Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya district of Ayutthaya on Friday morning.
Gen Prayut visited soldiers from the battalions who have been raising embankments and stacking sandbags at the temple. While there he was briefed on the condition of the Chao Phraya River, which is carrying the flood surge from annual heavy rains in the North toward the South.
He also met soldiers increasing embankments along the river to protect historical sites, including ancient temples.
Gen Prayut was making his first major trip as defence minister since being suspended from working as prime minister by the Constitutional Court.
While the Constitutional Court considers the case, the prime ministerial role is meanwhile in the hands of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit. He is scheduled to visit the southern province of Krabi on Monday to inspect local water management and oil palm schemes.
Gen Prawit, as deputy prime minister, chairs the national water management committee.
