Prasert tipped to take Anutin’s place as interior minister

 

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

PRASERT JANTARARUANGTONG is expected to be named interior minister in place of Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul in a new cabinet lineup later this month.

Prasert, currently the Pheu Thai-attached deputy prime minister-cum-digital economy & society minister, is speculated to take Anutin’s place as interior minister following comments earlier made by de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra that populist government policies have not yet been given “access” to the people nationwide since the interior portfolio was under command of the Bhumjaithai leader.

The Ministry of Interior is largely viewed as a politically-influential portfolio with hush-hush potential to bring about victories to the commanding party in a general election for MPs, given the fact that it takes direct control of government officials in the provinces ranging from provincial governors and chief district officers to kamnan (tambon headmen) and puyaibaan (village headmen), among others.

Thaksin. father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, mentioned the next general election which, he said, is barely a couple of years away following a previous one held in 2023.

The likelihood of having the interior minister’s seat returned to the Pheu Thai, core of the current coalition, notwithstanding, the Bhumjaithai, the second largest coalition partner under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, is not expected to part company with Thaksin’s camp and become part of the opposition bloc at parliament.

In return for the likely loss of the interior portfolio, Newin’s camp might probably be given the public health portfolio currently held by Pheu Thai-attached Somsak Thepsuthin whilst Anutin, who acts as Bhumjaithai leader only in name, used to be a public health minister in the time of a previous government.

CAPTIONS:

Top and Front Page: Deputy Prime Minister/Digital Economy & Society Minister Prasert Janararuangtong. Photos: Thai Rath

Insert: Deputy Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Photo: Thai Rath

---

Also read: Thaksin wants Interior portfolio back from Bhumjaithai

Cambodia claims intercepting Thai drone while Thai regional army chief vows to defend sovereignty

Cambodian PM wants to raise disputed temples, border area with World Court

Air force unveils locally-developed armed drone

Ceiling at police building collapses just days before training

---