Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has stated that any decisions regarding cabinet reshuffles within the Bhumjaithai Party's quota should be left entirely to the Prime Minister. Anutin emphasized that only the Prime Minister has the authority to make such decisions and that he will not entertain discussions with others on the matter.
According to Thai News Agency, when questioned about the possibility of coalition parties pushing for a cabinet reshuffle to reappoint Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, MP for Phayao and an advisor to the Kla Tham Party, Anutin said it was a decision for the coalition parties to deliberate. He mentioned that coalition parties would be informed of any potential adjustments, but the final decision rests with the Prime Minister.
In response to questions about Lt. Col. Thammanat's potential reappointment, Anutin reiterated his stance of prioritizing government support and affirmed Bhumjaithai's commitment to backing the Prime Minister and the government's objectives. He mentioned that any positional changes within the Bhumjaithai Party would be communicated to the Prime Minister first.
Anutin also commented on Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra's remarks regarding the necessity of cabinet adjustments every six months. He mentioned that the Prime Minister had expressed a desire to continue working, having only been in office for five months. Anutin suggested that frequent discussions about cabinet changes might cause discomfort and hinder civil servants' work, and he supported the Prime Minister's perspective and intentions.
When asked if he had discussed matters with the Prime Minister outside of the cabinet reshuffle, Anutin confirmed that no such conversations had taken place.
In response to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's remarks about some ministers working slowly, Anutin, speaking from China, simply smiled and urged people to listen solely to the Prime Minister.