BANGKOK, Thailand—Thailand's embattled prime minister announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Saturday, a widely expected move seen as an attempt to fend off growing calls for his resignation.
The reshuffle by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej came as thousands of anti-government protesters continued to demonstrate in Bangkok. Protesters have held relentless rallies since May, accusing Samak's government of attempting to block corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and trying to amend the constitution to cling to power.
The reshuffle involved 11 Cabinet posts, including the key interior, commerce, industry and public health ministries. All were approved Saturday by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Samak's original Cabinet took office in February, following December elections that were the first since a 2006 military coup ousted Thaksin for alleged corruption and abuse of power. The Cabinet was heavily criticized as full of Thaksin allies who were unqualified, unsuitable or tainted by corruption charges.
Since then, Samak has been forced to defend his administration against critics who contend it has failed to revive the country's sagging economy and was doing the bidding of Thaksin, who returned to the country from self-imposed exile in February.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign last month after being accused of jeopardizing the country's claims to land near an ancient Cambodian temple.
"With nonstop protests against the government, Samak had no choice but to replace some of his unpopular ministers," said Sukhum Nuansakul, a political lecturer at Ramkhamhaeng University, who predicted that Samak was buying time before moving to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections.
The reshuffle is unlikely to win over Samak's critics, since most of the new faces are also considered close allies of Thaksin or unqualified to tackle the country's growing economic problems.
The government reported Friday that inflation had hit a 10-year high of 9.2 percent due to rising food and fuel costs.
"It is very disappointing to see the new Cabinet list," said Abisith Vejjajiva, who heads the opposition Democrat Party. "The new Cabinet cannot give Thais any hope in dealing with the economic situation."
Retired police Gen. Kovit Wattana was named the new interior minister, replacing the unpopular Charlerm Yoobamrung. The opposition accused Charlerm of being behind a July 25 attack in which hooligans used axes and sticks to beat anti-government protesters in northeastern Thailand. More than 20 people were injured, some seriously.
Chaiya Sasomsup, who earlier this month was disqualified as health minister, was chosen to head the Commerce Ministry despite a Constitutional Court ruling that he violated asset disclosure rules by failing to fully declare his wife's shareholdings.
Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who came under fire for his performance as commerce minister, was transferred to run the Industry Ministry.
0 comments
Post a Comment