By Thai Newsroom Reporters
PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin is largely expected to undersign a new cabinet lineup, mostly orchestrated by de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, by the end of this month, partisan sources said today (Apr. 19).
Known as the Pheu Thai-led government’s most powerful figure with a final say over the hush-hush reshuffling of cabinet members, Thaksin is quietly handling the purely political business affecting those who will be reshuffled out and those who will be brought in on a new ministerial lineup for which Srettha will likely undersign around the last part of this month and forward it to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn for formal approval.
Anticipated in the first round of cabinet reshuffle is, among others, the Pheu Thai-backed real estate tycoon-turned-prime minister, earlier pushed to rise to power by Thaksin’s sister/deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, to leave the post of finance minister which he has been assuming in concurrent fashion for the last seven months and to concurrently take the defence minister portfolio in place of Suthin Khlangsang, according to the partisan sources.
Besides, other Pheu Thai cabinet members who would likely be reshuffled out are Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, Deputy Interior Minister Kriang Kantinand, Deputy Agriculture & Cooperatives Minister Chaiya Phromma and Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunla-iad.
Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai-attached Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin is speculated to be named public health minister in place of Chonlanan who might possibly be named House speaker in place of the Prachachart-attached Wan Muhamad Noor Matha whilst Deputy Foreign Minister Jakkapong Sangmanee is tipped to be transferred to the post of a minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office in place of Puangpet, the sources said.
Stock Exchange of Thailand chair Pichai Chunhavajira would likely be named finance minister in place of Srettha whilst Nattapon Nakpanich, a former deputy army chief and protege of former prime minister/now privy councillor/de facto Ruam Thai Sang Chart boss Prayut Chan-o-cha is tipped to be named deputy defence minister to assist the civilian prime minister in dealing with the armed services.
One of Thaksin’s legal advisers, namely Pichit Chuenban, who had been denied a cabinet seat at the last minute of last year’s cabinet lineup, is now anticipated to be named another minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Paopum Rojanasakul, who currently performs as secretary-general to the finance minister, is speculated to be named deputy finance minister, they said.
On the part of the Palang Pracharath, the third largest coalition partner, either MP Pai Lik or MP Attakorn Sirilatthayakorn is expected to be named deputy agriculture & cooperatives minister.
On the part of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart, the fourth largest coalition partner, Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Jinavijarana and Deputy Agriculture & Cooperatives Minister Anucha Nakhasai would likely be reshuffled out whilst MP Suchart Chomklin is expected to be given a ministerial seat.
However, cabinet members in the quota of the Bhumjaithai, the second largest coalition partner under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, might probably remain unchanged, they said.
CAPTION:
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Top photo: Naewna, Front Page photo: Thai Rath
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