Padung to be interior secretary
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But Minister Yongyuth denies move to appoint Thaksin's former personal secretary is an attempt to reduce the red-shirt quota in Yingluck's Cabinet
Padung Limcharoenrat, former personal secretary to Thaksin Shinawatra, will be appointed secretary to the Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit – replacing a prominent red shirt, it was confirmed yesterday.
Padung has much experience in politics as he was an adviser to two deputy PMs,” Yongyuth said.
Yongyuth was not concerned his new secretary would be a target for criticism: “He just comes to work [for the country’s sake].”
Yongyuth, who also is the Pheu Thai party leader, denied Padung’s appointment to replace Aree Krainara, a red-shirt leader, was because the party wanted to reduce the red-shirt camp’s quota.
Natthawut Saikua, another red-shirt leader, was selected to be deputy agriculture minister in the Yingluck Cabinet. Some reports claimed that in return the red-shirt group was obliged to surrender the interior minister’s secretary position.
“It was the resolution of the party and I have to follow that,” he said.
Yongyuth said he had already talked to Aree who accepted the party’s action.
“After six months working together, we have a good relationship,” he said.
Padung, 62, was the highly trusted personal secretary to former premier Thaksin. He accompanied him frequently and arranged the ex-PM’s schedules.
Padung graduated from Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Economics and Business Administration where he was called, “ngok Siam” (Siam white hair) or “the white haired guy”.
He was accused by the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy group of being involved in the Finland Plot/Manifesto, allegedly aimed at changing Thailand’s political system.
Padung held the job of adviser to deputy prime ministers Somkid Jatusripitak and Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra did not comment on Padung’s appointment, saying only that the list of new secretaries to ministers would be submitted to the Cabinet, but it was not sure when that would occur.
Yingluck said the line-up of secretaries to ministers had to be changed after the Cabinet reshuffle.
