Cabinet reshuffle rumoured

Cabinet reshuffle rumoured.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday ruled out speculation that he was to reshuffle his Cabinet in the wake of the New Year's Eve bombings and the government's plunging popularity.

"Not yet. I have no plan for that," Surayud responded to a question about whether the Cabinet reshuffle would take place soon.

Veteran security expert Prasong Soonsiri is said to be likely to join the government as deputy PM for security affairs.

Meanwhile, former governor of the Bank of Thailand MR Chatumongkol Sonakul is believed to be taking over the post of finance minister from Pridiyathorn Devakula, who will only sit as deputy PM overseeing economic affairs.

Despite Surayud's denial, Prasong said in a TV talk show yesterday that a member of the Council for National Security had approached him about joining the Cabinet to handle security issues. However, Surayud had not talked with him about it, he said.

"The government should appoint a deputy PM on national security to relieve the burden on Surayud," Prasong said. He said the new man was needed to get rid of the "old power" challenging the new rulers.

Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an said the Cabinet reshuffle would take place soon as a deputy education minister would be appointed.

The prime minister had agreed to appoint the deputy minister but had not discussed who would fill the position, Wijit said. - The Nation

The Nation
Thu, January 11, 2007