Thaksin denies Cabinet reshuffle, supports energy cost cuts

[snoop1130]

Photo via Pirapan Salirathavibhaga/Facebook

 

By Ryan Turner

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister and the alleged de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has put to rest rumours suggesting the potential dismissal of Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga in the next Cabinet reshuffle. Yesterday, January 5, Thaksin clarified that no such reshuffle is currently planned.

 

Pirapan, for his part, denied any discord with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra or the Pheu Thai Party. He emphasised that his work in reducing energy costs is fully supported by the government.

 

When questioned about the rumours of Pirapan’s removal, Thaksin stated that there is no friction between the two.

 

“No. We’ve talked and understood. There’s nothing wrong between us. I’ve known Pirapan for a long time. He has great determination and good understanding.”

 

Thaksin further elaborated that he and Pirapan have been discussing strategies to reduce household electricity costs from approximately 4 baht per unit to 3.70 baht per unit. Thaksin even expressed a desire to bring it down to 3.5 baht per unit.

 

Yesterday in Chiang Rai, the 75 year old Thaksin was campaigning for Saluckjicht Tiyapairat, a previous head of the Chiang Rai Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO). Saluckjicht is married to Yongyuth Tiyapairat, a former House Speaker and a close political ally of Thaksin in the north, and is the mother of Piyarat Tiyapairat, a Pheu Thai MP from Chiang Rai province.

 

Previous resistance

 

Pirapan has previously faced resistance from the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, particularly when he led a movement to slash energy prices. This move was met with opposition from energy business leaders, who were also financial supporters of the party. However, his current efforts to lower energy costs have gained popularity among the public.

 

As the leader of the UTN Party, Pirapan maintains close ties with former PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is now a privy councillor. In the last General Election, the UTN presented Prayut as their top prime ministerial candidate.

 

Before Thaksin addressed the matter, Pirapan had already dismissed reports of friction between him and the government party through a Facebook post. He mentioned that certain media outlets had been spreading false information about him and, when those efforts failed, fabricated stories about a conflict with Pheu Thai.

 

 

“My efforts to cut energy prices succeeded because of their support.”

 

Pirapan highlights the backing he received from former PM Srettha Thavisin and current PM Paetongtarn, who are aligned with government policy. He also affirmed that Paetongtarn is committed to dismantling monopolies.

 

An inside source mentioned that Pirapan felt the need to clarify the situation following speculations about his possible removal, alongside Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, who is also the UTN Secretary General. The source added that there is no conflict between the UTN leadership and the ruling party, and party MPs remain unified.

 

Solidarity

 

Akanat also took to social media, posting a picture with Pirapan to demonstrate their solidarity.

 

“The Pheu Thai Party won’t remove the pair. Both are seen as representing the former prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha.”

 

Meanwhile, ex-red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan warned of escalating political tensions this year. He suggested that Pirapan might be replaced by the big boss, referring to Thaksin, due to perceived disunity within the UTN. However, Jatuporn noted that there is still an opportunity for the party to address these issues.

 

Jatuporn also commented on the government’s efforts to dismantle monopolies, which have encountered challenges, raising doubts about the government’s resilience against these powerful influences, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-06

 

 

[MikeandDow]

The goverment should mute this guy he has no right to speak for the goverment,  just shows how backward Thailand is !!

[Artisi]

1 minute ago, MikeandDow said:

The goverment should mute this guy he has no right to speak for the goverment,  just shows how backward Thailand is !!

Let's face the facts, he is the goverment leader - like it or not. 

[harryviking]

Seems like the Thaksin has taken over Thailand already!  What a circus Thai politics has turned into! 

[Geoffggi]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister and the alleged de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has put to rest rumours suggesting the potential dismissal of Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga in the next Cabinet reshuffle.

Why is the government even giving him air space instead of shutting him down for breaching his terms for release ???

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister and the alleged de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has put to rest rumours suggesting the potential dismissal of Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga in the next Cabinet reshuffle. Yesterday, January 5, Thaksin clarified that no such reshuffle is currently planned.

Shouldn't that statement come from Paetongtarn ?

After-all she is the PM [cough]

[hotchilli]

13 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Why is the government even giving him air space instead of shutting him down for breaching his terms for release ???

The government is headed by the PTP party... Paetongtarn his daughter is the PM... do you think they will tell daddy to be quiet?

[Geoffggi]

Everyone knows who his daughter is but there are other opposition government members doing nothing.

[kingstonkid]

5 hours ago, harryviking said:

Seems like the Thaksin has taken over Thailand already!  What a circus Thai politics has turned into! 

 

Did you ever doubt he was in charge.  Hell he ran the party while he was in Dubai.  Why doyou think it is family members that are always elected.  They speak when he tells them to.  

 

Look at duaghters record.  

 

What record you ask.  AW  , there is the answer.  She goes to a multi Asian summit and, instead of being at the summit, goes shopping.

 

Consider this if you look at the PTP and Thaksin now look at what the DNC Barry and friends would have been like with Kamala.

[watchcat]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Paetongtarn his daughter is the PM...

 

Speaking of her,  she has been really quite silent recently?

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Speaking of her,  she has been really quite silent recently?

Waiting for orders...

[Peabody]

9 hours ago, harryviking said:

Seems like the Thaksin has taken over Thailand already!  What a circus Thai politics has turned into! 

I swear it feels like I'm reading headlines from 2005!

[watchcat]

On 1/6/2025 at 10:16 AM, Artisi said:

Let's face the facts, he is the goverment leader - like it or not. 

 

I, for one, dont like it

[Artisi]

3 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

I, for one, dont like it

Along with thousands of others who like / don't like. 

[Artisi]

On 1/7/2025 at 10:13 AM, hotchilli said:

The government is headed by the PTP party... Paetongtarn his daughter is the PM... do you think they will tell daddy to be quiet?

If the opposition parties had any balls they would, but unfortunately they are completely neutered. 

[lordgrinz]

21 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Speaking of her,  she has been really quite silent recently?

 

She is a puppet, his little princess, don't expect anything profound to come from her. Nepotism doesn't usually produce much more than a salary for the nepobaby, expecting anything more is just futile.

[watchcat]

2 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

She is a puppet, his little princess, don't expect anything profound to come from her. Nepotism doesn't usually produce much more than a salary for the nepobaby, expecting anything more is just futile.

 

Yes I know, but he is getting a bit silly at the moment.  Cant he get a bit seriously with his comments before they send him back to dubai?

[couchpotato]

8 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Yes I know, but he is getting a bit silly at the moment.  Cant he get a bit seriously with his comments before they send him back to dubai?

Who is 'they'...... and he is here now and free from restraints, so why Dubai?

[Hamus Yaigh]

On 1/6/2025 at 5:16 PM, Artisi said:

Let's face the facts, he is the goverment leader - like it or not. 

 

On 1/6/2025 at 5:04 PM, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister and the alleged de facto leader

 

De facto please!

[sammieuk1]

After strenuous denial's Tony's pants caught fire and his nose grew 4 inches 🤔

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

After strenuous denial's Tony's pants caught fire and his nose grew 4 inches 🤔

Maybe he should be hospitalised again, they can perform miracles - cure anything, even resurrections.