National—
At 11:05 AM, on April 16th, 2024, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, publicly revealed to the public rumors of a drama about a cabinet shuffle after visiting Thai former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at “Chan Song La” Manor.
Srettha reportedly visited Thaksin on the occasion of the Thai national New Year, Songkran. He greeted Thaksin and prayed for his health and happiness, according to Thai national media.
Srettha gave an interview to the public regarding the rumors about the cabinet shuffle that there was no immediate adjustment. Srettha reportedly told the media that this past month, there was a drama on the cabinet shuffle in which he emphasized that the best protection was to work proactively under the Thai government policies and their ministry.
Regarding Srettha’s visit to Thaksin, he stated that the greeting was nothing but his respect for the Thai former Prime Minister and a founder of the Thai Rak Thai Party. As a new Thai Prime Minister, it was normal for him to ask for advice and discuss political matters, said Srettha.
Later on the same day, Thai national media reported a recent update regarding the cabinet shuffle. It was reported that coalition government parties including Bhumjaithai Party and Palang Pracharath Party would still have the same ministers.
Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party asserted that the party would not adjust any position. Meanwhile, Palang Pracharath Party had one vacant position which would still have one quota all the same, according to Srettha.
Capt. Thamanat Prompow, the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, reportedly supported Mr. Pai Lik, Kamphaeng Phet MP as a Deputy Minister and Mr. Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, Chachoengsao MP, as a substitute candidate in case the first candidate was disqualified.
