Thai Cabinet Reshuffle: Who Will Call The Shots?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Cabinet reshuffle: Who will call the shots?

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It appears that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, rather than her brother Thaksin, will have the final say in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle next month.

The reshuffle is expected to bring big changes, with newcomers taking over "Grade A" portfolios from incumbents.

Here is a list of the high-profile politicians who might be moved:

- Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, who is also deputy PM and interior minister, could lose his portfolio after the National Anti-Corruption Commission ruled that he committed malfeasance by certifying the sale of land belonging to Wat Thammikaram temple to Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf & Sports Club.

- Justice Minister Pracha Promnok might lose the post that was given to him as compensation after he lost the race for the PM's post to Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Pracha, then Puea Pandin leader, was pushed to join the race by People Power Party MPs after the Constitution Court dissolved their party.

- Education Minister Suchart Thadathamrongvej might lose his portfolio, especially after being embroiled in controversial issues such as the school tea-money scandal and tablet PC project. He might also be targeted in the opposition party's no-confidence motion planned for the next parliamentary session.

- Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom appears to have become the weakest link in this Cabinet because he has not been able to tackle major economic issues such as rising prices and the drop in export target.

- Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat might get the heave-ho for failing to build a good relationship between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the military top brass. Besides, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra wants to give the Defence portfolio to one of his old associates from Pre-Cadet Class 10.

- Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan might lose his post because after all, he was only given it temporarily.

Yingluck is expected to use the next Cabinet reshuffle to strengthen her government's image as well as to restore public confidence, especially as she will have been in office for a whole year come August.

However, Yingluck might find things a bit difficult in her efforts to please everybody.

Apart from satisfying certain party members who are waiting to be rewarded with ministerial posts, she also has to deal with the 111 big shots who have just been released from their five-year political ban, not to mention her brother's intervention.

Some of the 111 reportedly flew to Hong Kong and Japan last week to meet Thaksin and angle for posts.

Yingluck is obviously aware of all this, and she could well choose to delay the reshuffle in order to avoid tensions within her party.

It is known that Thaksin played a big part in dictating his sister's policies and decisions in setting up her administration. However, the general opinion is that he will not be able to dominate his sister to such a degree this time around.

Over the past 10 months, the premier has dealt with several big problems, such as severe flooding, drought, economic difficulties as well as the charter amendment and reconciliation bills.

Fortunately for her, these problems appear to have strengthened her position and given her the ability to show off her leadership skills. Several recent surveys have shown a gain in public support for Yingluck, so now it's not only Pheu Thai MPs who are relying on her, but also her brother.

A key member of the Pheu Thai Party has said that even Thaksin may not want to upset her, because if she gets disheartened and steps down, he could lose his proxy premier.

Thus, this Cabinet reshuffle might offer Yingluck a chance to show the world just who is really leading Thailand.

-- The Nation 2012-06-28

[theblether]

We know who is going to call the shots

[Siripon]

I had to laugh when Suchart said he thought the government might not last beyond this year, and he didn't know why he was in the post of Education Minister!!

When will Pheua Thai appoint someone who is mentally sound to be Education Minister?

If Nattawut keeps his post, I'll look forward to the censure debate.

[nurofiend]

Who will call the shots?

abhisit?

[Phuket Stan]

Who will call the shots?

abhisit?

If only

[nurofiend]

Who will call the shots?

abhisit?

If only

that was just my little facetious joke about abhisit calling the 'shots'

[MikeOboe57]

A really amazing article.

First a resume of several ministers with a description of their failed policies.

Then the surprisinging conclusion:

these problems appear to have strengthened her position and given her the ability to show off her leadership skills

And the punch line:

Thaksin may not want to upset her, because if she gets disheartened and steps down, he could lose his proxy premier

followed by:

this Cabinet reshuffle might offer Yingluck a chance to show the world just who is really leading Thailand.

Amazing

[saltandpepper]

Who will call the shots?

abhisit?

If only

that was just my little facetious joke about abhisit calling the 'shots'

Hilarious .... not

[nurofiend]

Who will call the shots?

abhisit?

If only

that was just my little facetious joke about abhisit calling the 'shots'

Hilarious .... not

as hilarious as a not joke anyway.

[crobe]

Science Minister Pladprasop Suraswadi may also be for the chop after NASA pulled the plug on the climate science project.

[LuckyLew]

some wanke_r who lives in another country

[Robby nz]

What a mob of debeauties, how many of them were actually elected to parliment, like with their name on a ballot paper?

Or were they hand picked by the great leader for having the same moral values (lack of) as himself?

We have one who is accused of stealing land from the temple, now in a Buddhist country can there be much worse than stealing from the monks? And not just a handfull of rice, here we are talking billions.

Even beats covering up the murder of a cop.

And makes telling lies in court almost insignificant.

As for the rest.....................................

And these are supposed to be the leaders of the country. What sort of example do they set for ordinary people?

[coma]

Is this a trick question ?

Secondly : Can anybody take a number and get in line at the Four Season hotel ?

[Thaddeus]

This is going to end badly.

[mrtoad]

We know who is going to call the shots

Can't believe they have written this drivel, as you said it's obvious who is calling the shots, and they aren't based in Thailand.

[hansgruber]

I can see it now.

Plane loads of grovelling suiters in Dubai with bouquets of flowers, all salivating to see who can get down the lowest to wai Thaksin as he enters the room.

How else would it play out?

[Skywalker69]

BANGKOK: -- It appears that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, rather than her brother Thaksin, will have the final say in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle next month.

[saltandpepper]

BANGKOK: -- It appears that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, rather than her brother Thaksin, will have the final say in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle next month.

Of course! Who will ever doubt it?

[bigbamboo]

A really amazing article.

First a resume of several ministers with a description of their failed policies.

Then the surprisinging conclusion:

these problems appear to have strengthened her position and given her the ability to show off her leadership skills

And the punch line:

Thaksin may not want to upset her, because if she gets disheartened and steps down, he could lose his proxy premier

followed by:

this Cabinet reshuffle might offer Yingluck a chance to show the world just who is really leading Thailand.

Amazing

An amazing article indeed.

I'm just trying to remember the last national leader who stepped down from power because they were 'upset' by a member of their family trying them how to run the country!

[ballpoint]

BANGKOK: -- It appears that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, rather than her brother Thaksin, will have the final say in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle next month.

Nothing wrong with that. It's just that her final say will be "Okay big brother, I'll reshuffle them just as you ordered".

[somtumlion]

Her final say will be "This is my brother's new cabinet lineup request. I order that it be implemented now."

Good little sock puppet.

[ramrod711]

I'm not sure if the Red shirts can ever seperate themselves from Thaksin and his various political parties. They must be concerned about the former TRT members displacing the PTP members they voted for.