Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn insisted Thursday he does not mind if he is ousted from the cabinet in a reshuffle.
Earlier, a reporter asked Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha if Gen Tanasak might be among the cabinet members to lose their posts. While the PM was non-committal, Gen Tanasak said: "There are a lot of capable people. I would personally welcome them."
"My boss will make a decision on the matter. The changes to cabinet posts will be a question of suitability. I have no problem with that. I will do my duty until the end," he said.
Gen Tanasak said the Foreign Ministry had notched up many achievements but they had not been publicised.
He said someone might have their eyes on his post. But he is ready to be replaced if the premier wishes.
Gen Tanasak added he is satisfied with his performance at the ministry.
According to Gen Tanasak, the appointment of the new US ambassador to Thailand, Glyn Davies, came after the Foreign Ministry asked that Washington send someone to fill the ambassador seat left vacant following the May 22 coup last year.
"The US is expected to send Glyn Davies to Thailand in about a month," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed Thursday that outsiders would join the new cabinet line-up. "There will be outsiders coming in," the prime minister said.
"Some [cabinet ministers] will have to move out and make room for others to come in. Some will switch to other ministries." He said the reshuffle will be made on the basis of suitability, and He declined to say when the new line-up will be proposed for royal endorsement.
The prime minister denied he has approached Supachai Panitchpakdi, former secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; Surin Pitsuwan, the former secretary-general of Asean; Prasarn Trairatvorakul, the current governor of the Bank of Thailand, and Surakiart Sathirathai, the former foreign minister, to become ministers in his new cabinet.