Picture: Sanook
Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Charvirakul declared at the weekend that he is ready to lead Thailand and become the next Prime Minister.
The Bhumjaithai Party leader was at a party gathering in Nakhon Ratchasima.
He stressed the importance of Korat even though he is from elsewhere.
The controversial minister - nicknamed "Sia Noo" or Mighty Mouse in the Thai press is well known for controversial and sometime offhand comments more in line with "Mighty Mouth".
Sanook had a picture of him with the caption that he was now a candidate for PM.
Party secretary and transport minister Salsayam Chidchob - himself from a controversial political dynasty - threw his full weight behind Anutin for PM.
Anutin stressed his continuing allegiance to PM Prayuth but said that when he steps down he is ready to step into the breech as a fully elected leader of Thailand, reported Sanook.
Anutin shot to fame - in foreign circles at least - with comments made about a "dirty" foreigner who wouldn't accept his gift of a mask in the earliest days of the pandemic.
He is well known as a billionaire businessman whose party shot to prominence on the back of election promises to legalize certain aspects of marijuana.
Last week at a function in Loei he said that Covid was no match for the brilliance of Thailand and the health ministry and the doctors and health personnel that he leads.
He called the virus "inferior" in comparison.
He has also proved to be bulletproof in several instances of being caught not wearing masks brushing these off in his now familiar style.