Axe finance minister, says poll

The finance, commerce and agriculture and cooperatives ministers should be targeted in a cabinet reshuffle, according to a survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll, last week.

The poll was conducted from Wednesday to Saturday among 1,146 people nationwide after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared he intended to reshuffle his ministries.

Asked to mention three ministries where they wanted change, respondents pointed to the Finance Ministry (83.1%), Commerce Ministry (80.28%) and Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry (72.1%).

The poll suggests a majority backing for a cabinet reshuffle as many problems have been left unsolved.

Of the respondents, 64.1% backed a reshuffle, saying some ministries have not yet produced distinctive achievements while Thai people are suffering from economic hardship.

About 23.9% of respondents were uncertain as they were not sure the reshuffle will improve the country’s situation, and 11.96% disagreed entirely, saying a reshuffle would disrupt the country’s administration and could deepen political divisions.

Asked to mention pros and cons of a reshuffle, 51.8% said it will enhance the government’s operation and boost stability; 40.4% said it would depend on the abilities of the new ministers; and 7.7% said the reshuffle could cause internal conflicts.