A major cabinet shake-up is on the horizon with the controversial rice-pledging scheme expected to cost Boonsong Teriyapirom his job as commerce minister, Pheu Thai sources say.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra walks down the steps of Government House yesterday before presiding over an event to honour those who have made outstanding contributions to drug suppression. CHANAT KATANYU
The potential reshuffle will likely involve more than 10 people and almost 20 cabinet posts.
Candidates for the new cabinet were invited to submit their qualifications at Government House and the SC Park Hotel over the past few days.
Mr Boonsong, who is under fire over the pledging scheme, is set to be axed from the cabinet, the sources said.
PM's Office Minister Varathep Rattanakorn, PM's Office Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan, and even Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong were the subject of wide speculation yesterday as potential candidates to head the Commerce Ministry.
But the sources said Mr Kittiratt is unlikely to be removed. He will have to lead the government's economic team in the debate over the government's 2-trillion-baht borrowing bill for the second and third readings when the next parliamentary session begins in August.
The sources said the reshuffle, which could be finalised before the week is out, is meant to shore up the government's sagging popularity.
It is also speculated the shake-up will include Chalerm Yubamrung, now a deputy prime minister. He will likely be made labour minister, replacing Padermchai Sasomsap.
Plodprasop Suraswadi may be removed as a deputy prime minister. Mr Niwatthamrong could also replace him, the sources said.
Chaturon Chaisaeng, the former acting leader of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, is likely to be appointed interior minister, replacing Charupong Ruangsuwan.
Benja Louischaroen, Customs Department director-general is expected to serve as deputy finance minister.
Weerawat Osathanukroh, a Pheu Thai MP for Kalasin, is tipped to be another deputy finance minister.
Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit is also likely to be appointed deputy interior minister.
Vichet Kasemthongsri, chairman of the board of PTT Plc, could also be made deputy transport minister.
Mr Vichet has quit as PTT board chairman with immediate effect, according to a report by the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday.
Peerapan Palusuk, a Pheu Thai MP for Yasothon, is also expected to be made a PM's office minister.
Sirikorn Maneerin, former deputy education minister, is tipped to be another PM's office minister, replacing Sansanee Nakpongor, or a deputy education minister.
Chaikasem Nitisiri, the former attorney-general, is likely to be appointed justice minister, replacing Pol Gen Pracha Promnok who is expected to become a deputy prime minister.
Sorawong Thienthong, the Pheu Thai MP for Sa Kaeo, is expected to serve as deputy industry minister.
Wisarn Techatheerawat, who was among the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai politicians, is likely to become deputy interior minister.
Pichit Chuenban, a list-MP and Pheu Thai lawyer, may serve as a PM's office minister.
Throughout yesterday, the prime minister's team was reportedly rushing with the paperwork so that the final reshuffle list could be submitted for royal endorsement within two days.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday declined to respond to speculation about the potential cabinet reshuffle. She said she would talk about it when the time was right.
A source said Ms Yingluck was earlier reluctant to introduce changes to the cabinet line-up before the House of Representatives reconvenes in August.
However, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has recommended a shake-up to get the government back on the right foot, the source said.
Thaksin has pointed to a series of public backlashes over the rice-pledging scheme and the water and flood management projects, and the rise of the anti-government white-mask movement, the source said.
"Ms Yingluck doesn't want to do anything before the House reconvenes. But after listening to Thaksin's advice, she has decided to proceed with a cabinet reshuffle very soon," the source said.
