By Thai Newsroom Reporters
A FEW MAJOR MINISTERIAL SEATS could probably be reshuffled between coalition partners in an imminent cabinet lineup under newly-named Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a partisan source said today (Aug. 19).
De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, father of the woman prime minister, was looking to reshuffle the interior and defence ministerial seats currently held by Bhumjaithai leader/acting interior minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai-attached/acting defence minister Sutin Khlungsang respectively.
De facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob would undoubtedly prefer to keep the interior portfolio with Anutin but Thaksin’s right-hand man/acting deputy prime minister-cum-commerce minister Phumtham Wechayachai might probably replace the Bhumjaithai leader as interior minister at the whims of the de facto Pheu Thai boss, the partisan source said.
The Ministry of Interior could ultimately play a pivotal role in administering performances of provincial- and district-level government officials, particularly during the run-up to a nationwide election.
Meanwhile, Sutin whose defence ministerial seat had remained intact in a previous cabinet lineup under court-deposed former prime minister Srettha Thavisin is largely expected to be replaced by somebody attached to the ultra-conservative Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto party boss/former coup leader-turned-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
That could probably refer to Ruam Thai Sang Chart-attached Nattapol Nakpanich, former deputy army chief/acting secretary-general to the acting defence minister.
Either Nattapol or another retired army general would probably be named a deputy defence minister if a Pheu Thai-attached civilian was named defence minister in the new cabinet lineup.
Though the Pheu Thai and other coalition partners, including the Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath, Ruam Thai Sang Chart, Chart Thai Pattana and Prachachart, will likely retain most of their cabinet portfolios in the imminent cabinet lineup, some could probably be reshuffled at the whims of the de facto Pheu Thai boss, the partisan source said.
New faces largely anticipated to join the Pheu Thai-led cabinet of ministers would likely include Pheu Thai secretary-general Sorawong Thianthong and Ruam Thai Sang Chart secretary-general Ekkanat Prompan.
Paetongtarn confirmed today the new cabinet lineup among the Pheu Thai-led coalition partners will be finished within this week.
CAPTION:
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Top photo: Amarin TV, Front Page photo: Thai Rath
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