Major reshuffle of cabinet expected this week

A major reshuffle of Cabinet seats is expected later this week, involving key factions of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and other parties of the coalition government.

Tipped as the next prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, the deputy PPP leader, yesterday sought the backing of all five member parties of the coalition ahead of Wednesday's vote for the new PM in the House of Representatives.

Somchai, who is now the acting prime minister, met with leaders of all five member parties of the coalition government yesterday - Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Matchima Tippatai, Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana, and Pracharaj parties.

The PPP has a total of 223 MPs while the five member parties have a total of 79 MPs in the 480-member House.

A senior PPP source said ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra had already telephoned all leaders of PPP factions from London, where he and his family are seeking political asylum, to back his brother-in-law Somchai as the next premier.

The source said more important Cabinet portfolios will also be given to member parties of the coalition government, such as Chart Thai and Puea Pandin, to reward them for backing Somchai and not leaving the coalition at this crucial juncture.

Chart Thai has sought control of grade-A ministries such as transport, while Suvit Khunkitti of Puea Pandin could be given back his Cabinet seat.

"A major reshuffle is inevitable once we have a new premier. A number of key portfolios [such as defence, education etc will have to be filled].

"In addition, Cabinet quotas of various PPP factions and coalition parties will have to be renegotiated to suit a new balance of power.

"For example, the PPP faction in the North would have more bargaining power [since Somchai is husband of Yaowapa, a leader of northern MPs], while the lower-northeastern camp [of Newin Chidchob] will likely have less power," said the source.

Pol Maj Karn Tienkaew, a PPP deputy leader, said the party will today vote for Somchai as the new premier while Sompong Amornviwat, also of PPP, is a second choice for PM.

Karn said Surapong Suebwonglee, the caretaker finance minister, is not suitable for the top post because he is one of the defendants in the illegal digit lottery case, which is still pending in court.

Surapong was earlier also tipped as a PM candidate backed by nearly 100 MPs in the lower northeastern region, led by Newin Chidchob, who was barred from politics following the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai party.

The latest Abac poll shows that a majority of respondents will lend support to any new PM other than Samak.

Samak was disqualified from the highest office by the Constitution Court for accepting payments for a TV cooking show.