PM seeks sweeping reshuffle

News > Politics

Pre-censure debate rejig 'to disconcert opposition'

Published: 26 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra confirmed yesterday she was seeking royal endorsement for a sweeping cabinet reshuffle _ a move seen as a bid to cushion the impact of the censure debate by the opposition at the end of the month.

A government source said the reshuffle would affect 23 cabinet seats and involve 14 new faces, including prominent politicians who are members of the so-called House No.111 _ the former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

They include legal expert Pongthep Thepkanchana, who is expected to be appointed as first deputy prime minister to oversee legal affairs and to double as education minister.

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GeriatricG
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Discussion 31 : 26 Oct 2012 at 14.0631
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The dynasty rules supreme. The Man Abroad, two sisters and a former wife will all abandon the Red Shirts (who fought on The Boss's behalf) because the Fugitive now needs the support of the elite he despised - for the country's sake? I think not.
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bkksim
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Discussion 30 : 26 Oct 2012 at 14.0130
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Pheu Thai list-MP and red-shirt leader Viputhalaeng Pattanaphumthai said some red shirts were disappointed and unhappy that Mr Jatuporn was not part of the new cabinet line-up.

1. thaksin knows that he is a loose cannon and will not risk him shooting his mouth off again.
2. The red shirts are not needed as much as ther were to get in to power.
Explained in this quote:

A Pheu Thai Party source said Mr Jatuporn was not included in the new cabinet list because the red-shirt movement is given only a quota of one cabinet seat, which is now occupied by Mr Nattawut, another red-shirt co-leader.
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lungstib
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Discussion 29 : 26 Oct 2012 at 13.2529
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"But he is likely to keep his post thanks to his close ties with Yaowapa Wongsawat, Ms Yingluck's elder sister".
And this sums up all that is wrong with Thai politics. What a sad state of affairs.
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blob123
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Discussion 28 : 26 Oct 2012 at 12.5728
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I wonder why I don't see women except the one as an alibi. Most women in the country are more capable, more serious and better educated as the guys I guess they should get rid of most of this guys and make a around 70% women cabinet there would be much less problems and better results.
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elvis
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Discussion 27 : 26 Oct 2012 at 12.5127
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@Rab.Madar D26,

"Strategically clever decisions" in politics never benefit the people."Strategically clever" already implies that it's a game. And a very dirty one in this case.
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Rab.Madar
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Discussion 26 : 26 Oct 2012 at 10.4626
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D19. Ms Ploydonut.
I agree with you and also think she has made a strategically clever decision. Hopefully we will all benefit from this.
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pquinlan
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Discussion 25 : 26 Oct 2012 at 10.4025
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D19: " ...Thirdly she didn't touch any of the economic and security posts..." What is the Deputy Commerce Minister if not an economic post? Nattuwat has been plugged in there to help explain the schmozzle that is the Rice Pledging Scheme, which is really Rice Price Support Scheme, not a pledging scheme at all.
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joninnak
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Discussion 24 : 26 Oct 2012 at 10.0124
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Tau There are probably many more looking at the same content as you at the same time as you, hence they press a box simultaneously.
How many times has the PM said she likes the lineup of the new Cabinet and the right people for the job. She says it every time there is a reshuffle. So what goes wrong.
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onlyme
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Discussion 23 : 26 Oct 2012 at 09.1423
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'All of them are close aides of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.'
'But he is likely to keep his post thanks to his close ties with Yaowapa Wongsawat, Ms Yingluck's elder sister.'
'The source said he has the backing of Ms Yaowapa, Mr Thaksin's younger sister.'

These three sentences are chilling given that the voters believe they are in a democracy.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 22 : 26 Oct 2012 at 09.0722
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Not much difference between this PM and last one in having to constantly reshuffle to appease this faction or that one and keep everyone happy, difference is, this PM has a strong mandate and doesn't need a coalition so why is she doing this (answer is; because, like the last PM she's not totally in control, nor is she truly the people's choice)
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