A consolidation of power by the Shinawatra family is looming after close associates of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra rose to power in the recent cabinet shake-up.
After only five months in office, the Yingluck Shinawatra government had to see cabinet portfolios change hands quickly at the behest of Thaksin, who wields considerable influence over the government led by his younger sister.
In the reshuffle, Thaksin has strengthened his power by handpicking people he trusts to become cabinet members.
This has led to criticism they are not suited to their ministerial posts and they never had a part in formulating the Pheu Thai Party's policies but are just people from the Shin Corp empire.
Critics are asking whether they were appointed to carry out specific tasks for Thaksin.
Arak Chonlatanon, a former top executive at Shin Corp, which was once owned by the Shinawatra family before being sold to Singapore's Temasek in 2006, has been appointed as the new energy minister.
All eyes will be on Mr Arak and what he does as energy minister given Thaksin's interest in the energy sector in neighbouring countries. Anti-Thaksin groups and the opposition Democrat Party have accused Thaksin of having vested interests in energy businesses in neighbouring countries despite his denials.
The appointment of Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan, former head of iTV, the now-defunct news channel once under the Shin Corp umbrella, as the PM's Office Minister overseeing state media affairs, is a sound choice by Thaksin.
Controling state media affairs is considered very important, particularly when pushing controversial government plans such as taking out 400 billion baht loans and charter amendments.
Meanwhile, Padung Limcharoenrat, Thaksin's close aide who played a key role as a power broker during the Thaksin administration, was made secretary to the Interior Minister, replacing red shirt leader Aree Krainara.
A Pheu Thai source said Thaksin wanted Mr Padung to help speed up the work of the Interior Ministry under Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit after it came under fire for being "slow" and not producing tangible results.
The appointment of Mr Padung is also aimed at removing any remaining influence Buri Ram politician and Bhumjaithai Party leader Newin Chidchob has in the ministry. The Bhumjaithai Party controlled the ministry during the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.
Meanwhile, the cabinet yesterday approved Ms Yingluck's directive to delegate assignments to her deputies and PM's Office ministers, both old and new.
Besides Mr Niwatthamrong, who was assigned to oversee state media, including the Public Relations Department and MCOT Plc, Wim Rungwattanajinda, has been made deputy secretary-general to the prime minister to work closely with Mr Niwatthamrong.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's son Wan has been appointed as an adviser to the deputy transport minister.
Woravat Au-apinyakul, another PM's Office minister and a former education minister, will oversee community fund projects, the Office of the Permanent Secretary, and the Budget Bureau and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board.
Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa, moved from the defence ministry, will oversee the Defence, Foreign Affairs, Information and Communication Technology ministries and the National Intelligence Agency. Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit will supervise the Social Development and Human Security, Interior and Transport ministries.