5Several key ministers who are military generals survived the cut in the latest cabinet line-up. Only three ministers in uniform got the chop, underlining critics' claim that the government is reluctant to share power.
Economic issues were thought to be a primary reason for the recent shake-up as the government has struggled to tackle problems in this area and wanted to place an emphasis on boosting the economy.
Political watchers were also waiting to see if the reshuffle would mark a shift away from the government's "junta" image as the country transitions towards democracy with a general election tentatively set for November 2018.
The resignation of labour minister Sirichai Distakul was also seen as a catalyst for the reshuffle which affected 18 positions in the 36-member cabinet.
The top brass in the armed forces and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) continued to occupy many cabinet portfolios in the four previous cabinet shake-ups.
Prior to the announcement of the latest line-up, speculation had been rife over how many of the men in uniform would be dropped and how many civilians would be brought in to replace them.
As it turned out, the number of military men was only reduced by three from 12 in the previous cabinet line-up.
Several key figures considered to be Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's "brothers" in the same military clique retained their ministerial posts.
They include Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who concurrently serves as the defence minister, and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda.
The three military ministers who lost their cabinet posts were deputy defence minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, and two deputy prime ministers, Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn and Adm Narong Pipatanasai. All of them kept their seats in the NCPO.
The new lineup, endorsed by His Majesty the King and published in the Royal Gazette on Nov 24, featured 10 newcomers, with substantial changes also made to the economic team.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak remained leader of the economic contingent. Observers noted the reshuffle would enable him to tighten his grip on economic policy along with new powers granted enabling his team to solve problems more easily. Among those new powers is Mr Somkid's supervision of the Agriculture Ministry which is directly in charge of the production of cash crops and closely tied to the livelihoods of most Thais.
The government has struggled to tackle bread-and-butter problems but there is now optimism that the economy will improve with the addition of civilian ministers, some of whom have strong backgrounds in business or in advocacy of the late King's sufficiency economy philosophy.
Among the civilians who lost their cabinet posts were PM's Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck, tourism and sports minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, deputy transport minister Pichit Akrathit, commerce minister Apiradi Tantraporn, science and technology minister Atchaka Sibunruang and deputy education minister ML Panadda Diskul.