Talk of Cabinet reshuffle denied

BANGKOK: -- The spokesmen for the government and Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday denied that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is planning a major Cabinet reshuffle.

Surapong Suebwonglee and Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Divari said Thaksin had not discussed a reshuffle with the party members as was speculated in the press.

Several newspapers had reported that Thaksin was planning a Cabinet reshuffle to bring in more politicians that are loyal to him, and remove technocrats who are less likely to come to his defence politically.

Political observers said Thaksin might not be happy with Cabinet members who have failed defend him in the face of the onslaught of attacks from media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul.

Surapong said Thaksin was not asking his Cabinet members to respond to political issues, but simply wanted them to keep the public informed about their work.

“But the prime minister did not say he would reshuffle the Cabinet in January. No one discussed a Cabinet reshuffle and

the prime minister did not send out any such signals,” Surapong said.

Political observers said that the initial suggestion that a reshuffle might be in the offing came from Thai Rak Thai MPs after several Cabinet members failed to come to the defence of the PM and had alienated themselves from other party MPs so much that Thaksin had to instruct them to attend party meetings.

However, Surapong said Thaksin realised that some Cabinet members were busy with their work.

“The prime minister simply told them that if they were free, they should attend party meetings to hear and exchange opinions with other party MPs,” Surapong said.

Sita said that Thaksin had not discussed the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle next year with

Thai Rak Thai MPs during the party meeting on Tuesday.

He added that he had simply told his Cabinet members to try to provide the public with explanations on any issues that they might be misinformed about.

--TNA 2005-11-28

Govt spokesman denies rumor on cabinet reshuffle

BANGKOK: -- Government Spokesman Dr. Surapong Seubwonglee on Sunday denied a rumor on imminent cabinet reshuffle, saying Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra did not give any hint on the matter in the latest party meeting.

He said the premier had talked less to the press because he wanted all ministers to give interviews on their performance directly.

“The premier does not want the ministers to counter critics on political issues. He wants all to perform their duty to the best of their ability,” he added.

He conceded some ministers did not attend the party meeting because they were busy doing their jobs in ministries they oversee.

Anyhow, he said, the premier stressed they attend any meeting to exchange views with party members unless they were busy.

“At present, ministers in charge of solving problems on anti-bird flu vaccine and dealing the school transfer to the local administration organization come out to give more information.

“The premier is not in a position to answer any questions because he already has a lot of tasks to do. He wants to spend time preparing plans and solving the country’s problems rather than countering critics on political issues,” said the government spokesman.

--TNA 2005-11-28