PUBLISHED: 21 Feb 2025 at 04: 00
Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit played down claims that Pheu Thai members are plotting to oustPichai Naripthaphanfrom his post as Commerce Minister over his failure to shore up the price of key crops.
The allegations came after many Pheu Thai members expressed their anger at Mr. Pichai at a conference this week over his failure to raise the price of a number of crops, including corn, which has fallen in recent weeks. Additionally, they criticised Mr. Pichai for putting too much time on visits abroad.
Although Mr. Suriya, a significant member of the Pheu Thai Party, downplayed the allegations, he did not deny that Mr. Pichai and group people are at odds with one another.
He claimed that Mr. Pichai needs to hear what Pheu Thai individuals think.
Mr. Suriya said Mr. Pichai will have more time to listen to Pheu Thai people ‘ opinions if he reduces his travels abroad, despite the fact that businesses both inside and outside the country are equally essential to the market.
Mr. Suriya expressed his belief that Mr. Pichai was developing solutions to the problem and would give them to group people in due course.
In response to growing rumors that a case change is in the works, information about the plan to remove Mr. Pichai as business minister surfaced.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will have to approve any change, and the deputy prime minister said she has not indicated that a case change is on the cards.
As her leadership nears six months in office, there have been reports that individuals nearer to her parents, Thaksin, the ruling group’s reported de facto leader, believe that the government needs changing to encourage party allies.
Among those who participated in the statewide elections where Pheu Thai did certainly field its own prospects is Capt. Thamanat Prompow, deputy director of the Kla Dharma Party.