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Major cabinet reshuffle likely

Friday, 26 October 2012 By MCOT

BANGKOK, Oct 25 -- A major cabinet shake-up by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is looming with 20 portfolios expected to be changed amid speculation from various media outlets.

The Secretariat of the Cabinet has reportedly submitted the list to HM the King for royal endorsement on Wednesday evening and several media report the list of new cabinet members as follows:

Jarupong Ruangsuwan is tipped to become Pheu Thai Party leader and shift from the Transport Ministry to take the helm at the Interior Ministry, while Bhokin Bhalakula name has appeared in some press reports as Interior Minister.

Chadchart Sittipunt is likely to be promoted from Deputy Transport Minister to the new head of the ministry after demonstrating outstanding performance during last years' flood crisis.

Science and Technology Plodprasop Suraswadi is likely to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister, while his ministerial post would be taken up by Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Woravat Auapinyakul.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul could take a deputy prime ministerial post concurrently, according to media reports.

Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikua would be changed from Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister to Deputy Commerce Minister.

As for members of the so-called House No. 111 or former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party, Pongthep Thepkanchana is tipped to become Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister concurrently. Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn would likely be Energy Minister.

Government spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong is likely to be appointed as Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Yukol Limlaemthong, former Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives, is expected to replace Theera Wongsamut who earlier announced his resignation from the post citing health problem.

The latest cabinet shake-up could see seven ministers out of jobs, while red shirt key leader Jatuporn Prompan would not be on the list.

Pheu Thai party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit said the reshuffle was aimed at driving government policy in the second year of administration to effectively achieve their targets.