[Thai] Opposition party says Cabinet reshuffle meaningless

BANGKOK, Nov 15 (TNA) -- Thailand's opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the cabinet reshuffle planned by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat would not improve the situation in the country because the coalition government is not serious about solving the problems.

A number of problems, the most critical being the October 7 violence when police suppressed anti-government People's Alliance of Democracy protesters, are still awaiting answers and the present government is not able to solve them.

Whether the planned cabinet reshuffle would improve the image of the government cannot be seen beforehand, Mr. Abhisit said.

Prime Minister Somchai said Friday that a cabinet reshuffle is likely after the royal cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The royal merit-making ceremony for the late princess began Friday and is scheduled to end Wednesday.

Addressing charges by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) that 28 ministers of the former government of then prime minister Samak Sundaravej violated Constitution Article 190 by illegally endorsing Cambodia's bid to register the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mr. Abhisit said those who were charged must explain it themselves, but he believed the charges would "not cause any changes" because several complaints still await investigation by the NCCC.

The United Nations body moved ahead with the approval action in July.

[Thai] PM plans to reshuffle cabinet after royal ceremonies

Friday November 14, 2008

(BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said Friday he plans to reshuffle the cabinet after the royal cremation ceremonies of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Mr Somchai refused to comment whether this will be a minor or major reshuffle.

The premier also expressed confidence in the government's work, saying that the National Anti-Counter Corruption Commission (NACC) ruling against him and 28 others in the previous Samak Sundaravej administration for their handling of the Preah Vihear temple dispute would not impact the work of the government.

The ministers, many of whom are in the current government, face two charges -- negligence of duty and violation of Article 19 of the charter -- over Thailand's June 18 signing of a joint communique with Cambodia.

The NACC's decision was based on the Constitution Court's ruling that a joint communique is equivalent to an international treaty that affects the country's territory and requires a review by the House of Representatives.

Mr Somchai refused to speak whether he would explain to the NACC about the matter, saying he would wait for the NACC's documents to be sent to all of them first.