The minister spoke out after Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said last week he was considering changes. He did not elaborate.

The minister, who asked not to be named, said the limited time in office for the government was a constraint.

"I believe it will be difficult to find new ministers as there is limited time left and the work is hard. Nobody wants to sacrifice that much," the minister said.

No minister has been dismissed from the Surayud government since it was appointed late last year. There have been several additions to the Cabinet.

This issue will be raised at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.

There has been a proposal for ministry heads to discuss problems with the prime minister in the absence of their ministers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister's Office Minister Prasith Kowilaikul said the Cabinet position would become clear after Songkran.

However, changes are a matter for Surayud, who has not aired his views to date, he said.

The Cabinet is anxious to hand over charge to an elected government soon, believing this will lead to a healthier political, social and economic climate, he explained.

Prasith will ask Surayud to make a statement of the government's achievements in the six months since its appointment.

Democrat Party Spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said a Cabinet reshuffle could be helpful. It is pointless to keep ineffective ministers in their positions simply to "save face", he said.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation