Thai PM denies impending reshuffle rumours

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday poured cold water on speculation that a cabinet reshuffle involving key ministerial posts may be imminent.

In the rumored shake-up, Supachai Panitchpakdi, the former secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, was to be made head of the government’s economic team take on the energy portfolio as well as title of deputy prime minister. 

Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda was also said to be assuming a dual role as another deputy prime minister while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai was thought to be losing his foreign minister seat.

On Monday, Gen Prayut told reporters at Pibool Uppatham School in Huai Khwang district of Bangkok that the rumor was baseless. 

“I’m not going in for the reshuffle,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon also denied a cabinet reshuffle was upcoming as there were other, more pressing priorities to attend to, such as the flood crisis. 

Gen Prawit, who also leads the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), said the prime minister has not consulted him over any changes to the present line-up.

Meanwhile, Prinn Panitchpakdi, deputy leader of the coalition Democrat Party and Mr Supachai’s son, said the rumours of a cabinet appointment for his father were unfounded and there had been no talks with senior government officials over the prospect. 

Mr Supachai remains closely connected to the Democrats and has been working as a member of the party’s think tank. His father has heard of the rumor and insisted there was no truth in it, Mr Prinn added.

Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Bunyamanee joined the chorus of senior figures who came out to rebut the rumor but acknowledged the prime minister’s right to change the makeup of the cabinet as he sees fit as long as coalition parties still retain their ministerial quotas.

Agencies