Regime moving chess pieces into place
analysis: Cabinet goes poaching for talent as poll nears
published : 18 Apr 2018 at 04:00
newspaper section: News

The regime's political intentions are becoming clearer after it appointed two brothers from the Khunpleum clan as officials in what is seen an attempt to round up talent to give it more options in terms of fielding prime ministerial candidates in the general election expected in February.
The cabinet on Tuesday appointed Sonthaya Khunpleum, former tourism and sports minister, as an adviser on political affairs to the prime minister and named his younger brother Itthiphol an assistant to the new tourism and sports minister.
Political observers believe the regime is plotting to snatch as many veteran politicians as possible ahead of the poll.