PM's secretary general Bantoon 'resigns'
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The prime minister's secretary general Bantoon Supakvanit has submitted his resignation following dissatisfaction from PM Yingluck Shinawatra, a source from the ruling Pheu Thai Party said yesterday.
The premier’s brother Thaksin Shinawatra and his ex-wife Khunying Pojaman were also said to be dissatisfied with Bantoon’s performance, the source said. Bantoon, a former director of the Budget Bureau and later a Pheu Thai MP, has been seen as focusing too much on bureaucratic jobs, which has left the PM with a heavy workload. Bantoon, 62, did not go to work yesterday and had his belongings collected from his office, the source said. He appeared to be upset that much of his work was recently taken over by Suranand Vejjajiva, who has worked closely with the PM.
Caretaker government spokesman Thitima Chaisang confirmed that Bantoon was absent from work yesterday but declined to confirm he had resigned. She expressed sympathy for his service in the post without much political experience. One of Bantoon’s deputies is likely to take over till Prommin Lertsuridej returns from a five-year ban in May.
