Seven portfolios change hands in big shake-up
The Democrat Party has agreed to make sweeping changes to the cabinet and remove three ministers from the administration.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said six or seven ministerial positions would be changed in the reshuffle.
Under the Democrat Party's new line-up approved by the 19-member executive board yesterday, the group of Puea Pandin party MPs which voted against the coalition in the censure debate on Wednesday will be removed from government, according to a party source.
The Democrat board has resolved to exclude from the cabinet Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch, Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong and Science and Technology Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich.
Meanwhile, three ministers from Puea Pandin will be moved out in this reshuffle. They are Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang, the Puea Pandin leader, Information and Communications Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwunchwee and Deputy Finance Minister Pruttichai Damrongrat.
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Four Democrat MPs _ Ong-art Klampaiboon (Bangkok MP), Niphit Inth arasombat (Phatthalung), Juti Krairerk (Phitsanulok), and Chalermchai Sri-on (Prachuap Khiri Khan) _ and the party's Education Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat of the Democrat Party are tipped to replace them (see graphic).
Chaiyos Jiramethakorn, Puea Pandin MP for Udon Thani, is tipped to replace Mr Chaiwuti as deputy education minister. Mr Chaiyos arrived at the Democrat Party late afternoon to discuss the allocation of cabinet seats to his faction.
PM's Office Minister Virachai Virameteekul, of the Democrats' quota, may take over as science and technology minister and Mr Ong-art may replace him as PM's Office Minister overseeing media affairs.
Sathit Wongnongtoey, another PM's Office Minister overseeing media affairs, keeps his ministerial position but his responsibility will change to oversee the Board of Investment and national investment affairs.
Following the board meeting, Mr Abhisit said those who have been nominated for political office will have their qualifications and background examined first.
Mr Abhisit expressed confidence the shake-up would resolve political and national problems.
The reshuffle was forced by a row between coalition parties Bhumjaithai and Puea Pandin.
Bhumjaithai, embarrassed by the outcome of the censure debate, called on the ruling Democrats to remove some Puea Pandin Party factions from the six-party coalition government.
Some Puea Pandin MPs voted against Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum, both from the Bhumjaithai Party, in the no-confidence debate.
Around 11 MPs from Puea Pandin under the Pinit Jarusombat-Pairote Suwunchwee faction have been removed, including party leader Mr Charnchai, as penalties for the censure debate outcome.
The Matubhum Party has been invited to join the coalition partners.
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, leader of the Matubhum party, said yesterday he has agreed to join the coalition to maintain political stability.
However, the leader of the Sept 19, 2006 coup said that allocation of cabinet seats to his party has yet to be finalised.
With six House seats under its command, the Matubhum party is expected to get a cabinet portfolio of deputy minister, most probably finance, the source said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday he has completed his task of patching up coalition differences as assigned by the prime minister.
He said he believed the coalition's problems have been settled.
Some of the Democrats' northern MPs are unhappy about the removal of Mr Paitoon, although generally the MPs agreed with the board's reshuffle deci sions.
Mr Nipit said yesterday MPs would let the party leader and secretary-general finalise the reshuffle.
''The meeting has endorsed the nominations of myself, Mr Juti, Mr Chalermchai and Mr Ong-art as new ministers.
''The party leader and secretary-general will decide on the ministerial posts,'' he said. The reshuffle should be finalised in a couple of days.
Two outgoing cabinet members yesterday played down their removal, saying they accepted the board's decision.
''A reshuffle is nothing unusual. I have no problem with that,'' Mr Paitoon.
Mr Teera said yesterday he understood the need for a cabinet reshuffle and said he had performed to the best to his ability.
''I've made some achievements. That former culture minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-arun and social thinker Prawase Wasi have talked about my work makes me proud,'' he said.
Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, deputy secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he expects to see the new labour minister tackle productivity to increase competitiveness and address labour shortages in the agricultural sector. Mr Pornsilp said more incentives should be introduced to keep workers in the farming sector. ''The workers turn away from the farm work and join the service sector such as restaurants and karaoke parlours. We should fix this urgently,'' he said.
From : Bangkok Post
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