Dems finalise cabinet line-up

Dems finalise cabinet line-up

rumours of conflict denied as seven earn nod for seats

The Democrat Party has finalised its cabinet line-up in a marathon meeting amid reports about last-minute changes to two positions.

Democrat spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng said on Saturday party executives and MPs had reached an agreement on the cabinet list which will see seven people taking up posts in the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration.

He denied reports of an internal rift while admitting there were changes made to the cabinet list. "There is no internal conflict despite reports about discontent and changes. The meeting has reached an agreement and everyone must accept it so that these seven individuals can work and put the party policy to work," he said.

Mr Ramet declined to name the seven would-be cabinet ministers, saying the list was being forwarded to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The party's executives and MPs held a marathon meeting on Friday from 2pm to 11pm to discuss the qualifications of the contenders to sit in the Prayut cabinet. The discussion focused on five posts -- the social development and human security minister and four deputy ministers for the ministries of transport, education, public health and interior.

The party was allocated eight seats but Democrat leader Jurin Laksanavisit was expected to take two concurrent posts of commerce minister and deputy prime minister. Party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on would take the helm at the Agriculture Ministry. It was agreed that Nipon Bunyamanee would be made the social development and human security minister with Chuti Krairiksh as deputy interior minister, Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich as deputy education minister, Thaworn Senneam as deputy transport minister and Satit Pitutacha as deputy public health minister.

However, two hours after the meeting ended, a group of MPs led by Issara Somchai submitted a letter to Mr Chalermchai asking him to swap two posts between Mr Nipon and Mr Chuti. A circular letter was later issued to party MPs saying the changes had been made as requested.

A party source said two contenders were fiercely challenged by Mr Issara and Democrat MP for Trang Sathit Wongnongtoey, both of whom are known to be allied with the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee.

Mr Issara was against the nomination of Khunying Kalaya on the ground that she served as a minister before but did not make any impression and the post should instead be awarded to a group of northeastern MPs for their election performance. Mr Sathit argued against the nomination of Mr Nipon who currently serves as chair of Songkhla provincial administrative organisation.

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