Prayut urged to reshuffle the Cabinet to get public back on his side

Wanchai Sornsiri said reports about |proposals for a national government or a Cabinet reshuffle reflected the declining |popularity of the government, which let the people down by failing to ensure efficient |management. 

The government also failed to solve economic problems, Wanchai said, and the people were losing their patience. Consequently, the government’s opponents have gained more support and have become provocative.

“Although a minister who is shifted is not necessarily guilty, the changes still have to happen to show the government is considering the people’s desires,” he said.

Politics is about public sentiment. If the changes can make people feel better, then there’s nothing wrong with that, he said, adding that something has to be done to avoid angering the people and further obstructing the realisation of the three-step road map. 

“No matter how powerful guns and [military] power are, they are no use if the people have lost their faith [toward the government].” he added.

Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, deputy dean of Rangsit University’s Social Innovation College and director of the Thailand Reform Institute, said a Cabinet reshuffle was likely to happen due to ministers’ performance failures, putting more direct pressure on Prayut.

 

Maintained popularity

Suriyasai said the government maintained its popularity because the people were still frightened of political fragmentation. However, there would be more challenging indicators toward the government, especially its capability of governing.

However, the quota given for the Cabinet reshuffle must not be used to conduct an Army reshuffle only, he added. “The PM has to be brave in the right way, to eliminate the criticism levelled against him earlier.”

He also suggested that such a reshuffle, if it happens, must bring about economic stability, public wellbeing, national reform and reconciliation “to create a strong foundation for Thailand in the long term.”

Despite his criticism, Suriyasai also praised the government’s initiative in major issues such as forest encroachment, the lottery, human trafficking and fishery. 

Meanwhile, a Suan Dusit poll has revealed that 72.88 per cent of 1,261 people surveyed across the country wanted politicians to be honest and faithful to the government, while 71.69 per cent thought politicians shouldn’t ‘attack’ the government or create any |provocation.