In Media
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has emerged stronger from last week's no-confidence debate.
In addition to winning the support of all five coalition partners, the prime minister is now free to exercise his power to dissolve the House of Representatives should any serious political upset occur.
The opposition Democrat party played into PM Samak's hands by focusing its attacks on cabinet ministers seen as loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. If a cabinet reshuffle is to happen, it is likely to affect these Thaksin loyalists directly. But this does not mean they will be removed from the cabinet altogether. Certain positions might be reshuffled for suitability.
For example, Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan is more suitable for the tourism and sports portfolio, or PM's Office minister in charge of state media. Mr Mingkwan was chief of TV Channel 9 before he was appointed to the Samak government.
PM Samak showed his leadership throughout the censure debate, rising to defend many of his cabinet ministers against the Democrat onslaught. This will make it easier for him to reshuffle the cabinet - if and when he thinks it necessary.
Mr Thaksin himself is in a difficult position, thanks to the recent bribery scandal involving three of his defence lawyers, who were found guilty of contempt of court for dropping a pastry box containing two million baht in cash at the Supreme Court.
And should the political situation become too hot to handle, PM Samak can simply dissolve the House and call a fresh general election, pushing the Democrats into a corner once again.
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