By Thai Newsroom Reporters
ENERGY MINISTER PIRAPAN Salirathavibhaga is currently speculated to be kicked out of the Pheu Thai-led cabinet sooner or later within this month, a partisan source said over the weekend.
Pirapan, who concurrently performs as leader of the military-installed Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto guidance of former army chief-turned-prime minister/now privy councillor Prayut Chan-o-cha, is more or less anticipated to be ousted as one of the ministers under the Pheu Thai-led government.
Nevertheless, the Ruam Thai Sang Chart will remain as the third largest coalition partner with Thaksin’s party as core of the current coalition, the partisan source said..
A prominent Pheu Thai figure is expected to replace Pirapan as energy minister in the first round of cabinet reshuffle under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, according to the partisan source who only spoke on condition of anonymity.
Thaksin had been repeatedly pressed by those personally associated with the de facto Pheu Thai boss to replace the current energy minister sooner than later due to a sustained bone of contention which he had apparently raised in coping with government measures related to electricity producing giants and expensive power rates, the partisan source said.
Prayut, who had seized power from Thaksin’s fugitive sister/former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the 2014 coup and ruled the country for nine years since, would not practically be of much help with Pirapan’s political future when it comes to a cabinet reshuffle, however.
Pirapan is largely viewed as a leader in name only of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart and doing without much bargaining power when it comes to dealing with the billionaire power player Thaksin.
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Top and Front Page: Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhang. Photos: Sanook.com
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