Many ministers shrug off rumours of losing their jobs in imminent Cabinet shake-up
Several members of the Cabinet have said that they will be fine if they lose their seats, while those expected to replace these ministers remained non-committal about their imminent appointment.
Reporters have been hounding the ministers in question ever since rumours of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin planning to reshuffle his Cabinet began doing the rounds.
When approached by reporters before the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said he has not been formally informed about the possibility of a reshuffle but has been monitoring media reports about it.
It is speculated that Cholnan will be among several Pheu Thai ministers to be removed from the Cabinet.
“It will be fine for me, but I don’t know whether the morale of permanent officials will be affected or not. Anyway, I have been telling them to keep working to their full potential. I insist I am not paranoid,” Cholnan said.
When he said he was stepping out to run an errand, reporters asked if he would return to Government House to attend the meeting. “Am I prohibited from attending now?” Cholnan responded with a smile.
Meanwhile, PM’s Office Minister Puangphet Choonla-iad told reporters she would be fine if she was removed from the Cabinet.
“I’m not too serious. I can stay or go. I simply do what the prime minister tells me to,” she said.
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, whose job is also believed to be on the line, walked up the stairs to the Cabinet meeting, saying he would only speak to reporters after the meeting.
Meanwhile, Deputy Agriculture Minister Chaiya Promma said he had only heard through media reports that his job was on the line.
“But I feel nothing. I think I have been working over the past seven months within the framework and restrictions as assigned. I won’t oppose [my removal] if it is within the policy of the party’s senior persons,” Chaiya said.
However, he added that he hoped Pheu Thai would take back the Agriculture Ministry during the reshuffle, so it can implement policies for the well-being of the people.
Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanit, who is expected to swap posts with Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, also refused to answer reporters as he made his way to the Cabinet meeting.
When asked to comment on the possible swapping of positions, Sudawan said it was the prime minister’s decision and he had not spoken to her about it yet.
Srettha applauded Sudawan for her outstanding work in organising the Maha Songkran festival in Sanam Luang earlier this week. However, when asked if the premier’s compliments meant she would be able to hang on to her post, she said other agencies had also helped out, including police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Culture Ministry.
“I believe everybody in the Cabinet works hard, but it is up to the prime minister to decide who will be suitable for which post,” Sudawan said.
On the other hand, PM’s adviser Pichit Chuenban said he had no idea about possibly being added to the Cabinet.
“I don’t know. I’m just focused on my work and have not spoken to the prime minister about it yet,” he said.
Natjaree Anuntasilpa, secretary-general of the Cabinet Secretariat, said she has not been instructed to check the qualifications of possible Cabinet members yet.
“I have only seen their names in media reports,” she added.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow was the only person to confirm a possible change to the Cabinet lineup under his Palang Pracharath Party’s quota.
He said he has nominated MP Phai Lik as deputy agriculture minister for the remaining party quota, adding that if Phai is found to be ineligible, then party leader Prawit Wongsuwan will find a replacement.
Also on Thursday, Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, said the Cabinet reshuffle will not affect his party’s quota, as it only has one seat, which is held by him.
