Suthep unfazed by reshuffle

The upcoming cabinet reshuffle is unlikely to affect the Ruamphalang Prachachartthai Party, or the Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT), in cabinet even though other parties in the coalition have gained more parliamentary seats since the election, says the party’s co-founder Suthep Thaugsuban.

The premier will decide on the cabinet make-up and which parties have how many ministerial seats, he said. “Don’t listen to rumours and fake news,” Mr Suthep said.

“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha is the only person you should listen to because he is the one who makes the final decision.

“Our party has been assigned to oversee the Ministry of Labour, so there will be no change until the PM decides to make a change.”

Mr Suthep said the ACT has decided to nominate Anek Laothamatas, another founding member of the party, for the post of labour minister if there is a cabinet reshuffle, replacing MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul, who recently resigned as leader of the fiveMP party.

“Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has said he will change his cabinet line-up when the time is right, so we won’t put any pressure on him,” Mr Suthep said.

When asked about the possibility the PM might decide to dissolve parliament and call new elections, Mr Suthep said he is confident Gen Prayut and his cabinet will serve the full term of four years.

The recent resignation of MR Chatu Mongol as party leader resulted in the dissolution of the seven-member executive committee of the ACT.

MR Chatu Mongol did not elaborate on why he resigned, saying: “No reason. It’s like a husband and wife getting a divorce.”

Thai media attributed the cause to MR Chatu Mongol’s “failure to perform” in his one year as minister.

The ACT yesterday held a general assembly to elect a new seven-member executive committee, including a new party leader.

At the meeting, former party secretary-general Taweesak Na Takuathung was elected to be the new leader of ACT, while Mr Anek was elected to the executive committee.

Other executive committee members were Jak Punchoopet and Danuch Tanterdtid.

Both were former key members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) led by Mr Suthep.

Duangrit Benjathikul Chairungrueng and Thantornthep Yamuthai were elected to be the party director and the party registrar respectively, while Mr Anek’s niece Chutathut Laothamatus was elected as party treasurer.