Bhumjaithai Party to discuss cabinet reshuffle Tuesday

BANGKOK, Jan 2 (TNA) — Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party, a small part of the current coalition government, will discuss the imminent cabinet reshuffle Tuesday following the recent resignation of Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai, a party spokesman said Saturday.

Spokesman Supachai Jaisamuth said his party has no plan to replace ministers under its banner, but if party member Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi resigns, the party must take up the issue for discussion on Tuesday.

So far there is no evidence showing that Mr Manit is engaged in irregularities except that he may have tried to push for some budget in his constituency, Mr Supachai said.

It would be unfair if society pressures Mr Manit to resign from his post, he said, stating that Mr Manit should be allowed to clarify his position first.

Mr Supachai said he believed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would carry out the a minor cabinet reshuffle and it probably involve only on ministers in the ruling Democrat Party.

Health Minister Witthaya, a Democrat, resigned Tuesday to take responsibility for ‘management flaws’ in his ministry’s projects under the Bt86 billion Thai Khemkhaeng (Strong Thailand) stimulus package.

Defending himself from accusations, Mr Witthaya said that no funds designated for ministry projects were held back, untransferred, from the projects, “not even a single baht,” so the public should not worry as no corruption had happened. (TNA)