Culture Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, one of eight ministers summoned for private talks at Government House, said he could not comment on whether this was an irregular practice as he had never headed a ministry when a permanent secretary was retiring.

Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin dismissed speculation that his permanent secretary, Somchai Wongsawas, a brother-in-law of Thaksin, would be moved back to the Justice Ministry to serve the government as a personal legal adviser if, or when, the embattled members of the Election Commission resigned.

Somsak said transfer of senior officials between ministries - including permanent secretaries - was possible if candidates in each ministry were not good enough to take over from those retiring.

The other ministers were Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Premier Suwat Liptapanlop, Interior Minister Kongsak Vantana, Tourism and Sports Minister Pracha Maleenont, Energy Minister Viset Choopiban and Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang.

Surakiart said there was nothing sinister about the meeting, and it was a transparent process. Earlier talks like this were not considered rushed even though the reshuffle was due in September.

Senator Wallop Tangkhananurak criticised the move, saying a caretaker government should not fill senior posts except in cases of retirement.