Cabinet reshuffle necessary in current climate, Prayut says
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SOME OFFICIALS MOVED AT THEIR OWN REQUEST; IT'S TIME TO CHANGE, DEPUTY PM WISSANU SAYS
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has appointed the most suitable ministerial candidates for the current political and economic circumstances and removed some Cabinet members at their own request, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.
Prayut submitted the Cabinet reshuffle, which was expected to include changes at all ministries, for Royal endorsement on Monday.
In the first year of the Prayut government, Sansern said, the country has had many different factors to deal with since the Cabinet was first formed.
“The outgoing ministers are regarded as valuable as they helped lay the foundation at the most trying time together – and they will continue to support the government by giving their advice as needed,’’ he said.
Sansern said Prayut took into account the personal requests and circumstances of each minister when he reshuffled the Cabinet.
Some of the ministers asked the PM if they could have a rest after devoting themselves for a full year of braving challenging tasks, Sansern said. “This government has faced tougher work than any previous government because it has had to tackle major issues of the country,’’ he said.
Willing to stay as back-up
He said the outgoing ministers were willing to remain as back-up for Prayut, who believed no one was better or more capable than anyone else. “Everyone is important at different times,’’ Sansern said.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the reshuffle would involve ministers of social, economics, security and foreign affairs.
He said the premier told the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday it was necessary for him to change the Cabinet’s make-up in order to satisfy people’s needs and continue to work according to government policies.
“Most importantly, once we tried one approach it’s time [for us] to change to another. Although members have been changed, we will work following the same policies because we are still the same government and aim to achieve the same goal,” he quoted Prayut as saying.
Outgoing Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Phuengboon na Ayudhaya yesterday announced his farewell on his personal Facebook page, thanking ministry officials for their cooperation during his term and wishing them success and good health.
“I am leaving the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry post, so I would like to thank you with all sincerity,’’ he wrote.
He also sent the same message to the ministry’s Line – the social network that includes ministry officials and the media as members of the group.
