Thaksin seeks answers on failed vote from Banharn
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Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silapa-archa has acknowledged that Thaksin Shinawatra called him after Tuesday's Parliament session, in which the legislature failed to vote on whether to comply with the Constitution Court's order to halt
Thaksin asked about eight of the party’s MPs who disappeared before votes could be cast. Banharn said he told Thaksin that there was confusion over the timing of the vote and that some of the MPs had urgent business, while others were sick.
A vote on whether to comply with the court order could not be held as it lacked the required number of supporters in a preliminary vote.
“Thaksin called me at 4 pm. But I assured him that it won’t happen again, and he understood.” Banharn said.
The Pheu Thai Party yesterday announced it would punish MPs who do not attend the next vote session.
“MPs will have to clarify the reason…and if it’s unreasonable, they will be punished,” party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.
Besides the debate over the Constitution Court’s injunction, the Cabinet reshuffle is another subject of wide speculation. Banharn yesterday addressed rumours that some positions held by coalition parties would be shuffled. He said Chart Thai Pattana hadn’t received any cooperation on the reshuffle from the government yet. However, personally, he thought the changes would be minor.
Deputy Prime Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapha yesterday cast doubt on rumours that he would be removed from the Cabinet. He said a newspaper published the rumour but didn’t name the source, so he didn’t believe it.
“The newspaper referred to a source but didn’t say who it was – maybe it was only their imagination,” Yutthasak said.
He said he would know beforehand if there would be any Cabinet reshuffle. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra always informed him, and he had yet to get any message on the topic, he said. Asked if the Cabinet reshuffle was aimed at paving the way for 111 former TRT executives to join the government, he said it would depend on the premier’s decision.
On rumours that Yingluck was in line to double as defence minister, Yutthasak was asked if it was suitable for the post to be held by a woman. He said nothing was impossible, and that if the premier became defence minister, it would be a historic moment for the Defence Ministry.
He didn’t respond clearly when asked whether the military would accept Yingluck as defence minister. He only said there are many ways to run the ministry, and that Yingluck would have an assistant or representative to help her, as she is also prime minister and might not have time to cover all the work. On why he she would need to take two seats at one time, he declined to comment, saying that the rumour was started by a newspaper.
“But if we’re talking about the legal aspect, she can do it, as the law allows it,” Yutthasak said.
It was earlier reported that the coalition parties wanted a sudden change in their Cabinet posts, and that three positions held by them would be changed: Chart Pattana leader Suwat Liptapanlop would replace Pongsvas Svasti as industry minister; the Palang Chon Party’s Sonthaya Kunplome would replace his wife Sukumol as culture minister; and Chart Thai Pattana’s Yukol Limlamthong, former permanent secretary of agriculture, would replace Theera Wongsamut as agriculture minister.
Some Pheu Thai Party MPs reportedly want Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvej removed for lack of achievements, while some MPs want Yongyuth Wichaidith to be replaced as interior minister while being allowed to retain his deputy PM position.
However, a source said Yingluck wants to delay the Cabinet reshuffle as she fears it will stir up the political crisis and launch a wave of dissatisfaction inside the party.
The source said the Cabinet reshuffle would be done this month or in early July at the latest. It is expected to involve only four or five positions, with Suchart and Yutthasak being removed, and Yongyuth retaining only his seat as deputy prime minister. Names mentioned in connection with the reshuffle include Pongthep Thepkanjana, a former justice minister, and
Warathep Rattanakorn.
