PPP asks Chart Thai to keep to same ministers

"If Banharn removes Anurak, pressure will be definitely put on Surapong [Suebwonglee]. So we asked them to keep Anurak in the line-up," the source said.

Finance Minister Surapong, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Anurak are facing trial over the two- and three-digit lottery scheme. By law, the three would have to end their duties in the Cabinet.

In the latest development in the Cabinet reshuffle, 11 ministers and 13 positions were affected, all from the PPP and the Puea Pandin Party.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej warned critics to wait for the announcement of the Cabinet line-up before judging anyone.

Samak had on Wednesday submitted the new Cabinet roster to His Majesty the King for endorsement.

Samak will appoint former finance minister Virabongsa Ramangkura as his economic adviser, Surapong said. Samak consciously appointed experts from various fields to help the government. Although some of them could not land a ministerial seat, they were willing to provide some counsel.

"I insist that this makeover was not based on a quota system. There was no need to favour any particular group of politicians. You should wait to see the list after [royal] endorsement," Surapong said.

He said he had given his opinions about the reshuffle to Samak.

Law scientist Nanthawat Boromanant lashed out at Chaiya Sasomsap's "inappropriate" return to the Cabinet as commerce minister, saying it was a challenge to a court verdict.

Chaiya, then public health minister, was disqualified from holding political office on July 9 by the Constitution Court for failing to declare some of his wife's assets within the deadline.

"It will cause trouble for the government. Instead of bringing a man of good image and high calibre to join the Cabinet, Samak appointed a man who once created a problem," he said.