PM confirms reshuffle
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Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra conceded on Thursday she had already submitted the Cabinet reshuffle list for royal endorsement but denied any involvement by her brother Thaksin.
Yingluck said she decided to change the Cabinet lineup after the resignations of her former deputy Yongyuth Wichaidit and agriculture minister Theera Wongsamut, who had said for a long time he wanted to quit. Moreover, coalition parties also wanted a Cabinet reshuffle.
The premier said she did not change the Cabinet lineup to escape scrutiny by the opposition.
"If you look closely, the main ministries remain the same and all are doing their jobs. The government's duty is administration, the opposition will be scrutinising us in Parliament, so we can't escape anyway," she said.
She said she was happy with the new reshuffle. It did not mean that the ministers who were removed were incapable. The moves depended more on timing and suitability, she said.
She said the Cabinet members deserved time to work and it would take time to make the people who were not selected understand.
Asked if the selection was ordered, Yingluck said, "No. I made the list myself."
Questioned as to whether the selection “rewarded or paid back” the people who had contributed to her party, Yingluck asked the media to wait and see the list of names. She said she would be able to clarify to the public her selection of the Cabinet members. “The people picked up are capable and experienced in the relevant fields.”
