Pojaman's loss is Yaowapha's gain in Cabinet
Not everybody was happy with the outcome of the latest Cabinet reshuffle - and that was not unexpected. But what was unexpected was that the once powerful faction of Pojaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was also de
The reshuffle on the occasion of the government’s first anniversary saw Pojaman completely lose control over the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. At the same time, it saw Pojaman’s sister-in-law Yaowapha Wongsawat take full control at the cost of Pojaman’s power.
What happened in the latest Cabinet reshuffle was in high contrast with what happened during the two tenures of the Thaksin government. At that time, Pojaman was very influential. Thaksin always listened to her when she supported or pushed persons to certain Cabinet seats. At that time, Yaowapha, Thaksin’s sister, rarely had any role.
Later on, it was reported periodically that Pojaman and Yaowapha were in conflict. After the Thaksin government was toppled in the 2006 coup, Pojaman remained powerful in the Samak Sundaravej government.
But when Yaowapha’s husband, Somchai Wongsawat, became prime minister, Pojaman’s power declined. She sent her chosen men to head up only a limited number of ministries.
Now, Pojaman, the so-called female master of the Chan Song Lar residence, has lost all her power in the Yingluck 3 Cabinet – while Yaowapha’s faction has become the most powerful, followed by the faction of Yingluck herself. This is because Thaksin allowed his sister, Yingluck, to have full control and she decided to side with her sister, Yaowapha.
So, Yaowapha has eight ministers under her control, compared with none for Pojaman.
The wife of Thasksin was heartbroken, but so too were coalition partners and smaller factions in Pheu Thai, who have become less and less important for Thaksin and the government.
After one year, the prime minister and her government have become much stronger, especially after it was reported that the Bhum Jai Thai Party – both the mainstream faction of Anuthin Chanweerakul with 27 MPs and the Matchima faction of seven MPs – wanted to join the coalition.
The report prompted the Chart Thai Pattana Party with 19 MPs (plus one Mahachon MP), Chart Pattana (seven MPs) and Palang Chon (seven MPs) to accede to pressure and to accept their status quo. These small coalition partners could do nothing much about negotiating for their Cabinet quotas and could be booted from the coalition if they demanded too much.
Now, the small partners were not to experience a honeymoon period, as they did when the coalition was being formed. At that time, they were pleased and invited by the big boss to help the Pheu Thai set up the government.
During this honeymoon period, Chart Thai Pattana de facto leader Banharn Silapa-archa had pleased the big boss so much that he could get all he wanted. This could be seen clearly when Chart Thai Pattana was given four Cabinet seats, including the Agriculture and Tourism portfolios, which the party had controlled during the Abhisit government.
But in the latest reshuffle, Pheu Thai nearly took back Agriculture, prompting Banharn to hastily negotiate with both Thaksin and Yingluck to try to retain the portfolio.
Eventually, Chart Thai Pattana was allowed to keep the Agriculture Ministry and Siriwat Kachornprasart, the son of Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart, was made a deputy agriculture minister. However, Pheu Thai also sent Yuttapong Charasathien to become a deputy agriculture minister to claim power from Chart Thai Pattana. This reportedly infuriated Banharn, who could do nothing more.
Chart Pattana faced a similar situation. Suwat Liptapanlop, the party’s de facto leader, was upset that Pheu Thai had appointed a deputy industry minister to share the power of the industry minister with Chart Pattana.
At the same time, Snoh Thienthong, a faction leader in Pheu Thai, was similarly displeased that his nephew, Thanis Thienthong, was given the post of deputy industry minister. Snoh had expected a higher position.
Of course, one of the most heartbroken politicians was red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, who failed to get any Cabinet seat despite a strong promise from the big boss.
Also unhappy was Yongyuth Tiyapairat, who reportedly sought to replace Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk with his choice, Wisarn Techathirawat, a former Thai Rak Thai executive.
But Preecha retained his seat because he is a member of the powerful Yaowapha faction.
