Bhumjaithai MP defends qualification

Bhumjaithai MP defends qualification

Bhumjaithai Party MP Weerasak Wangsupakitkosol has insisted he is a qualified candidate for a cabinet post, in the wake of reports that suggest his name were among the list of nominees which were rejected by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Mr Weerasak, who is tipped to be the next deputy commerce minister, also said he has has been cleared from any allegations that he encroached on Sor Por Kor land -- state-owned land which is given to landless farmers as a part of the government's land reform programme.

The Bhumjaithai MP said that if he isn't qualified for a cabinet position, then party leader Anutin Charnvirakul would have told him so in person. "However, [Mr Anutin] has yet to say anything that confirms the reports," he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Anutin said he was confident that Bhumjaithai's cabinet post nominees will not be turned down by the premier, as each name on the list was subject to thorough background checks before the list was handed over to Gen Prayut.

"Ultimately though, the premier will have the final say on the matter," he said.

Mr Anutin went on to say that Bhumjaithai has nominated seven names, but stopped short of revealing the names of the nominees.

Meanwhile, a source at the Palang Pracharath Party admitted the party might have to give up a cabinet seat under its quota to its coalition partner, the Chartpattana Party.

One PPRP executive who formerly served as a cabinet minister may be asked to give up the cabinet seat which he had been promised to a Chartpattana nominee, the source said.

The move comes after reports emerged that Chartpattana leader Tewan Liptapanlop -- who is tipped to be the next deputy industry minister -- may be sidelined because he is currently facing a probe for breaching the charter's rule on media shareholdings.

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