Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn, one of the three MPs expected to take up a cabinet seat in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle, reveals he has indeed been nominated for a ministerial post.
Confirming weeks of speculation, Mr Chaiwut, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP for Sing Buri, said he was informed of his nomination by a senior party member, although he said he has no idea which portfolio he will land.
He has secured and filled out the paperwork which needs to be presented to the cabinet's secretariat office once his appointment is confirmed.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he has received a list of ministerial nominees from the PPRP.
Gen Prayut reiterated he has the final say on appointing ministers, after earlier denying that outsiders would be brought in to fill posts.
A source in the cabinet said Mr Chaiwut is likely to become the next education minister, replacing Nataphol Teepsuwan who lost his post on account of his conviction in the Criminal Court over his role in the 2013/4 protests which led to the ouster of the Pheu Thai administration.
According to the source, the PPRP is pushing to get Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome named as Digital Economy and Society Minister -- replacing Buddhipongse Punnakanta, who was convicted along with Nataphol -- before adding PPRP MP for Sa Kaeo, Trinuch Thienthong, will replace Mr Itthiphol as culture minister.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party executives are scheduled to meet tomorrow to finalise its cabinet nominations, spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng said on Wednesday.
He said in the meeting, both party executives and members will choose the people they believe are suited to take up cabinet posts in the reshuffle.
He was confident the party's candidates won't undermine cabinet unity, as their nomination would follow strict guidelines.
However, he said, party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on will explain the reason behind the trading of ministerial seats with the Bhumjaithai Party, once the appointments are confirmed.
Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, also a deputy prime minister and public health minister, had hinted at the possibility of a swap after it was reported his party was interested in switching its deputy commerce minister seat with the deputy transport minister post, which was held by Democrat politician Thaworn Senneam.
Both parties have claimed the swap would allow them to work in their respective ministries better, as it would be easier for a minister to work with a deputy minister from the same party.