By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DEFENCE MINISTER SUTHIN Khlangsang said today (Feb. 29) he would feel just fine if he was transferred from the military-handling position to the education portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle at any given time.
The civilian member of cabinet told reporters he is definitely not worried in the wake of speculation that he would probably be reshuffled out of the defence portfolio and given the post of education minister instead. The Pheu Thai minister-cum-MP said he had already received a “positive signal” involving himself but did not elaborate.
Suthin is more or less expected to be replaced by Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan who used to assume the defence portfolio in previous governments after he had earlier served as army chief, partisan sources said.
Suthin would probably replace Permpun Chidchob, brother of de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob, as education minister if the Pheu Thai minister-cum-MP was removed from the defence portfolio.
Prawit is largely anticipated to assume the cabinet seat in exchange for a likely removal of his brother Patcharawat Wongsuwan as natural resources & environment minister.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin could possibly assume the seat of defence minister in concurrent fashion whilst leaving the post of finance minister which he concurrently assumes to somebody else, the partisan sources said.
Two former prime ministers had earlier assumed the post of defence minister in concurrent fashion, namely Chuan Leekpai of the Democrats and Yingluck Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai.
According to Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, a right-hand man of de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister would not reshuffle his cabinet until after the 2024 budget bill has been turned into law by April.
However, the Pheu Thai-backed Srettha would almost certainly prefer to keep his hands off of such power play unless given the green light from, if not ordered by, the de facto party boss.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang. Both photos: Thai Rath
Insert: Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan. Photo: Naewna
CORRECTION:
In the earlier version of this report a photo of Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin was inadvertently published in place of Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang and we regret this error.
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