Thai PM says chooses new cabinet, sends to king for approval
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 19 August, 2015, 2:20am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 19 August, 2015, 2:20am
Agencies in Bangkok
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to reporters. Photo: AP
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday he had chosen new cabinet members and submitted the names to the country's king for approval. News of the cabinet change came a day after a bomb exploded in central Bangkok killing at least 20 people, including about eight foreigners.
"I have submitted the names and am waiting for royal approval," Prayuth said without giving precise details on the date of the imminent reshuffle. He did not give any names of new cabinet members yesterday.
Prayuth, who as army chief led a May 2014 coup, was appointed prime minister in August 2014 by a hand-picked legislature. He has come under pressure over Thailand's sputtering economy.
Bangkok has been relatively peaceful since the coup after several months of sometimes violent political protests against the previous government.
At the same time, the military government has tightly controlled dissent, arresting hundreds of its opponents and banning protests.
Tensions have risen in recent months, with the junta making clear that it may not hold elections until 2017. It also wants a constitution that will allow some type of emergency rule to take the place of an elected government.
Stirring the pot has been exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. It was his sister Yingluck Shinawatra who was ousted as prime minister last year.
Last week, Thaksin posted a message on YouTube urging his followers to reject the draft constitution because he said it was undemocratic.
The draft charter is supposed to be voted on next month by a special National Reform Council. If it passes, it is supposed to go to a public referendum around January.
Another source of tension is the annual military promotion list, with the junta's top two leaders - Prayuth and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit - widely believed to be supporting different candidates.
The reshuffle, which comes into effect next month, has traditionally been a source of unrest, as different cliques in the army, usually defined by their graduating class in the military academy, seek the most important posts to consolidate their power.
Reuters, Associated Press
