Is the big boss doling out goodies?
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Though Thaksin Shinawatra is considered the "big boss" of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, he still needs support from different factions for his political moves - be it openly or secretly.
Political observers believe he might have had a lot to do with the Cabinet reshuffle – expected to involve 16 out of the 36 Cabinet members – even though his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck, vehemently denies it.
Many of Thaksin’s trusted men are apparently staying on, while a few more are being added to the Cabinet list.
Politicians from different factions in the ruling party apparently took turns flying over to meet him – mostly in Dubai where he has been in self-exile – as rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle started doing the rounds. It is believed that these politicians had flown over to remind him about his promise to provide Cabinet seats for their people.
And indeed, a shake-up did take place, swiftly and earlier than expected. It could possibly have been because Thaksin wanted to avoid any repercussions.
There were clear signs of disappointment among some Pheu Thai MPs who failed to get into the Cabinet and among those who were shown the door. At a party meeting earlier this week, some MPs were heard heavily criticising the shake-up, complaining that a few ministers had managed to stay on despite their poor performance.
The Prime Minister’s Office has reportedly submitted a list of new Cabinet members for royal approval.
Most of the seats are said to be shared among factions led by members of the Shinawatra family, including Yingluck, her sister Yaowapa Wongsawat, her former sister-in-law Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra and her brother Payap.
There are also other powerful factions in the ruling party – a group of some 40 MPs from the Northeast led by Pongsak Raktapongpisarn, who is Thaksin’s right-hand man, the red shirts and Thaksin’s friends from Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.
Cabinet members appointed under Thaksin’s quota – such as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul and Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee – have managed to retain their seats.
Pheu Thai MP Sakda Kongpet, who is expected to become deputy education minister, said yesterday that he knew he would get to join the Cabinet after meeting Thaksin in Hong Kong before the New Year holiday. “I flew to meet Thaksin and learned about getting the post in advance,” he said.
Red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua, who played a key role in the street protests against the Democrat-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva in 2010, is expected to become deputy agriculture minister.
Thaksin’s Class 10 friend, Transport Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat is likely to become defence minister. He is expected to “settle the score” between Class 10 and Class 12, which is led by Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha is tipped to become deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs.
Sukampol is also expected to push for amendments to the Defence Ministry Administration Act allowing politicians greater involvement in Army personnel transfers – a sensitive issue that could lead to a conflict between the government and the military.
As for those within the party who don’t end up with a Cabinet seat, Thaksin has jobs waiting for them as advisers and secretaries to ministers, which according to a party source, might be a tactic aimed at reinvigorating disappointed Pheu Thai MPs.
It might be interesting to see if the disappointed politicians settle for smaller rewards offered by the big boss.
