If unsuitable, group to get replacements
PUBLISHED: 24 Aug 2024 at 05: 42
The same four MPs from the previous government have been nominated by the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ), a coalition partner, to become ministers in the new Pheu Thai-led cabinet.
The PPRP said it will get a replacement if the ruling party determines any of the four to get disqualified.
The four elected MPs are caregiver Natural Resources and Environment Minister Pol Gen Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, caregiver Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow, caregiver Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, and custodian Deputy Public Health Minister Santi Promphat, according to a source. They are approved by a majority voting at the PPRP’s professional conference on Friday
Friday’s meeting of the PPRP’s executive members was chaired by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the party, while Capt Thamanat, Mr Atthakorn, and a number of other MPs believed to belong to a faction led by Capt Thamanat were absent from the meeting, said the same source.
Capt. Thamanat later claimed he could not attend because he had a more significant event to attend, claiming that he was in Phayao and Chiang Rai yesterday to assist flood victims, while Mr. Atthakorn went to Nan to assist flood victims there.
Capt Thamanat insisted on Friday that he had never submitted a separate list of nominated PPRP MPs to Pheu Thai despite the obvious rift between Capt Thamanat and Gen Prawit, which apparently was sparked by their divergent opinions regarding who should be nominated as new cabinet ministers in the PPRP’s quota.
According to rumors, Capt. Thamanat has been in discussions with a significant member of the opposition’s Democratic Party about a potential deal that might give both parties some cabinet seats, a claim he has refuted.
According to reports in the media, Capt. Thamanat was initially removed from the list to be nominated for Pheu Thai because of his questionable eligibility, which allegedly caused the rift between him and Gen. Prawit.
” If any nomination is later found to be ineligible]for the appointment as cabinet minister ] or suggested]by Pheu Thai] to be changed, the PPRP’s board will approve a new one”, said Chaiwut Thanakomanusorn, a deputy PPRP leader.
Pol Lt. Gen Piya Tawichai, the PPRP’s spokesman, refuted reports that Gen. Prawit was considering resign as party leader.
Phumtham Wechayachai, the caretaker deputy prime minister, and commerce minister, stated that the PPRP’s list of nominated MPs was not yet complete, and that Pheu Thai had already given the PPRP a deadline to wrap up the arrangements.
He did not dispute or confirm the possibility of the Democrat Party joining the new coalition, saying only time would tell if that would lead to a quicker formation of the new government.