Chartthaipattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silpa-arch on Tuesday denied a report that his younger brother Chumpol would be replaced as deputy prime minister and tourism and sports minister in a fresh cabinet reshuffle expected to come in two weeks, saying this was merely a speculation.
Banharn Silpa-archa (Photo by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)
Mr Banharn said he had so far received no signal of a cabinet reshuffle from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Mr Chumpol collapsed from a heart problem on Dec 17 and was rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment, just one month after the party's chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart suffered emphysema and was taken to Siriraj Hospital for he has been hospitalised.
Mr Banharn said he had not yet thought about replacing Mr Chumpol. If this was necessary, he could do it very quickly but "not now," he added.
In the absence of Mr Chumpol, his work at the Tourism and Sports Ministry is being handled by Yukol Limlaemthong, the agriculture minister from Chartthaipattana. He was also indirectly lending help for the ministry's administration, Mr Banharn said.
Mr Banharn said this morning, after nearly a month of treatment, Mr Chumpol responded by winking, moving his hands and mouth. His condition was generally stable, he added.