Speculation rife as potential cabinet reshuffle looms
Two MPs of the ruling Pheu Thai Party are reportedly preparing to join the cabinet after reporting to Government House on Tuesday to sign important documents, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
The two are Paopoom Rojanasakul, a party-list MP and Jiraporn Sindhuprai, an MP from Roi Et.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin last week ruled out a Cabinet reshuffle on April 17, but political analysts have been speculating that the reshuffle could take place at the end of this week, possibly tomorrow (April 26).
Analysts also believe that Srettha is likely to pass his finance portfolio to Pichai Chunhavajira, chairman of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, and assume the position of Defence Minister instead.
It is thought that Pheu Thai will name Pichit Chuenban a new minister or deputy minister during the reshuffle. A former lawyer for the Shinawatra family, he has defended ex-PMs Thaksin and Yingluck in various cases.
With two new MP candidates plus Pichai and Pichit, it is speculated that Pheu Thai will drop four of its current cabinet members in the reshuffle. Those who are expected to lose their seats are Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, PM Office Minister Puangpetch Chunla-ead, and Deputy Agriculture Minister Chaiya Promma.
On the government coalition front, a news source from Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party said the party’s quota in the cabinet will remain unchanged, meaning the party’s Anucha Nakasai will likely remain in his post as Deputy Agriculture Minister.
Meanwhile, Palang Pracharath’s secretary-general Thamanat Prompow recently said that the party has submitted a list of four candidates to the premier who could be reshuffled under the party’s quota.
The four are Kamphaeng Phet MPs Pai Leeke and Anun Ponumnuay, Chachoengsao MP Atthakorn Sirilattyakorn, and Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, former Minister of Digital Economy and Society.
