Anutin rules out Suphajee removal and Cabinet reshuffle

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday (October 22) firmly rejected speculation that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun could be removed from the Cabinet, describing her as one of the key pillars of his government.

Responding to reports about a possible change at the Commerce Ministry, Anutin said: “If Suphajee is to be replaced, then Anutin has to be replaced too.”

He criticised speculation about individual ministers being removed, saying members of the Cabinet were working at full capacity and such reports could affect those carrying out their duties.

Anutin said Suphajee was a key member of his administration and someone he had personally asked to join the government.

“She is one of the pillars of my government,” he said.

The prime minister said he had first asked Suphajee to work with him during his previous administration and later invited her to serve as deputy prime minister and commerce minister in his current government.

He said she had been asked to oversee areas involving marketing, commerce, the economy and industry.

Anutin stressed that Suphajee had not approached him seeking a ministerial post.

“I was the one who asked her to become a minister,” he said. “So, as I have said, if Suphajee is replaced, then the prime minister should be replaced too.”

Asked at the end of the interview whether a Cabinet reshuffle was planned, Anutin replied that there would be none.