Horse trading continues for Cabinet posts; govt hopes to cast off by Friday

By The Nation

Prime Minister designate Yingluck Shinawatra is expected to submit her Cabinet line-up for royal endorsement tomorrow, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.

"The government should be installed and ready to serve in time for the celebrations of Her Majesty's birthday on August 12," he said.

Prompong said the ruling party had already forwarded the names of potential ministers for background checks by the Cabinet Secretariat.

Despite Prompong's announcement, horse-trading over the allocation of Cabinet seats continue into the eleventh hour. Names and portfolios of 35 Cabinet members keep changing every hour.

Ministerial hopefuls have reportedly been checking on their latest status with powerbrokers close to Yingluck, her sister Yaowapha Wongsawat, brother Thaksin and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra.

Lead contenders for key positions include Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit as Interior minister, with Pheu Thai MP Gen Yuthasak Sasipra-pha tipped to become the Defence minister. Pracha Promnok, an MP and former senior police officer, is slated for the Justice portfolio, with Captain Anudit Nakorntap as Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

Three outsiders, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, Kittirat na Ranong and Kowit Wattana, are poised to become Finance minister, Commerce minister and deputy prime minister respectively. Kowit, also former national police chief, is expected to oversee security affairs.

Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoobamrung is set to become a deputy prime minister - in charge of social affairs.

Pheu Thai MP Bunruen Srithares from Kalasin is tipped to become the deputy Public Health minister. MP Poom Sarapol from Khon Kaen is also slated to join the Cabinet but his portfolio has yet to be allocated.

Reportedly backed by Pojaman, Pheu Thai MP Pichai Naripthaphan will likely get the Energy portolio.

Two Air Force officers, retired Air Chief Marshal Sumeth Phomanee and outgoing Air Chief Marshal Sukampol Suwannathat, were in a close tussle to be Transport minister. Sumeth and Sukampol are close to Thaksin as fellow graduates of Pre-Cadet Class 10.

For coalition allies, the Sukumol Kunpluem Palang Chon Party will get the Culture portfolio. Its first-time MP Kusuma Kunplome is slated for the job with the backing of her husband and faction leader Sonthaya. Chat Pattana Puea Pandin leader Wannarat Charnnukul is set to be the Industry minister. Chart Thai Pattana Party will get three portfolios with its leader Chumpol Silapa-archa to become Tourism and Sport minister, MP Theera Wongsamut to be Agriculture minister and MP Siriwat Kachornprasart to become deputy Transport minister.

With the royal command on the prime minister's appointment due to be issued this afternoon, PM-designate Yingluck kept a low profile and cancelled all engagements over the weekend. An aide told reporters that Yingluck would not give interviews before the issuing of the royal command.

Yingluck's husband Anusorn Amornchat said he had already disengaged from his business activities in order to prepare for a spousal role in support of the new premier.

Her nine-year-old son Supasek Amornchat said he hoped his mother would be able to return home on time and not have to work late.

-- The Nation 2011-08-08

Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoobamrung is set to become a deputy prime minister - in charge of social affairs.

Interesting to see how things go with the local gun clubs, entertainment venues and off duty police officers, boxing venues and pleasure trips to other states to play hide and seek.

The social affairs of Thailand will no doubt become an invigorating experience under the illustrious leadership that is rumoured.

When the top red shirts do not get a post will they pour blood on the Prime Ministers residence.

Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoobamrung is set to become a deputy prime minister - in charge of social affairs.

Interesting to see how things go with the local gun clubs, entertainment venues and off duty police officers, boxing venues and pleasure trips to other states to play hide and seek.

The social affairs of Thailand will no doubt become an invigorating experience under the illustrious leadership that is rumoured.

Returning to old haunts and old friends

For coalition allies, the Sukumol Kunpluem Palang Chon Party will get the Culture portfolio. Its first-time MP Kusuma Kunplome is slated for the job with the backing of her husband and faction leader Sonthaya.

Kamnan Poh must be so proud to have his kids back in the cabinet. I wonder if they will be able to get his murder conviction overturned?

Is horse trading the correct terminology. Wouldn't something beginning with 'A' be a little more accurate.

Kamnan Poh must be so proud to have his kids back in the cabinet. I wonder if they will be able to get his murder conviction overturned?

Coming to a province near you soon whitewash by the tanker load.

http://ghostline.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/pkfz-whitewash-070926.jpg

For coalition allies, the Sukumol Kunpluem Palang Chon Party will get the Culture portfolio. Its first-time MP Kusuma Kunplome is slated for the job with the backing of her husband and faction leader Sonthaya.

Kamnan Poh must be so proud to have his kids back in the cabinet. I wonder if they will be able to get his murder conviction overturned?

As the MP for Pattaya she should be very able to handle the Culture portfolio - lets face it, few are fooled by the Land of Smiles image anymore.

For coalition allies, the Sukumol Kunpluem Palang Chon Party will get the Culture portfolio. Its first-time MP Kusuma Kunplome is slated for the job with the backing of her husband and faction leader Sonthaya.

Kamnan Poh must be so proud to have his kids back in the cabinet. I wonder if they will be able to get his murder conviction overturned?

As the MP for Pattaya she should be very able to handle the Culture portfolio - lets face it, few are fooled by the Land of Smiles image anymore.

I thought she won for a different constituency. Be interesting having a sports car driving MP as culture minister rather than the usual traditionalite with big hair and dowdy silk. Should be fun.

For coalition allies, the Sukumol Kunpluem Palang Chon Party will get the Culture portfolio. Its first-time MP Kusuma Kunplome is slated for the job with the backing of her husband and faction leader Sonthaya.

Kamnan Poh must be so proud to have his kids back in the cabinet. I wonder if they will be able to get his murder conviction overturned?

As the MP for Pattaya she should be very able to handle the Culture portfolio - lets face it, few are fooled by the Land of Smiles image anymore.

I thought she won for a different constituency. Be interesting having a sports car driving MP as culture minister rather than the usual traditionalite with big hair and dowdy silk. Should be fun.

My mistake - I am getting the names mixed up after the NNT article yesterday:

Moreover, Mr. Sontaya Khunpleum, Leader of the Phulangchon Party had been nominated as the new Minister of Culture, but had proposed his wife Ms.Sukumol to fulfill the duties instead.

Is horse trading the correct terminology. Wouldn't something beginning with 'A' be a little more accurate.

"Political Whores Trading" would be more apropos.