By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DE FACTO PHEU THAI BOSS-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today (Apr. 25) held a tete-a-tete talk over lunch at a Bangkok hotel.
Known as Thaksin’s right-hand man, Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accompanied Srettha to the hush-hush talk over lunch with the de facto Pheu Thai boss at the ritzy hotel on Sukhumvit Road.
However, the trio were believed to discuss an imminent cabinet reshuffle over which the powerful Thaksin is known to have the final say.
The real estate tycoon-turned-prime minister, quietly pushed to rise to power by Thaksin’s sister/deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, would almost certainly leave the finance portfolio which he has been assuming in concurrent fashion to Pichai Chunhavajira who has just resigned as chair of the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s board of directors.
Srettha is more or less speculated to take the defence portfolio in concurrent fashion, replacing Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang who would likely resume his leading legislative roles at parliament.
Former deputy army chief Nattapon Nakpanich, a protege of former coup leader-turned-prime minister/now privy councillor/de facto Ruam Thai Sang Chart boss Prayut Chan-o-cha, is anticipated to be named deputy defence minister.
Other Pheu Thai cabinet members to be reshuffled out in the new lineup are Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, Deputy Agriculture & Cooperatives Minister Chaiya Promma and Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpetch Choonla-iad.
A few newly-named Pheu Thai cabinet members would likely include Paopoom Rojanasaku as deputy finance minister, Jiraporn Sindhuprai as deputy commerce minister and Pichit Chuenbarn as Prime Minister’s Office Minister.
The third and fourth largest coalition partners, namely the Palang Pracharath and Ruam Thai Sang Chart respectively, are expected to change a few of their ministers whilst the Bhumjaithai, the second largest coalition partner under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, would likely keep all their current ministers intact.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin leaving at hotel in his sedan.
Insert: Reporters covering the event were not allowed inside the hotel and had to camp outside. All photos: Naewna
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