CABINET RESHUFFLE UNFOLDS LARGELY ACCORDING TO PLAN

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000165 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, NSC FOR WALTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM TH SUBJECT: CABINET RESHUFFLE UNFOLDS LARGELY ACCORDING TO PLAN REF: A. BANGKOK 00061 (ABHISIT FORCES DEPUTY MINISTER TO RESIGN) ¶B. BANGKOK 00046 (CABINET RESHUFFLE AS CENSURE DEBATE LOOMS) ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (U) Five new cabinet members took their oath of allegiance to King Bhumibol on January 18, completing a long-anticipated change to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's administration. While the changes affecting Democrat Party portfolios were publicly known beforehand, junior coalition partner Phumjai Thai (PJT) surprised pundits by replacing the Deputy Transport Minister. PJT had previewed its Deputy Health Minister personnel move to the media earlier. Meanwhile, PM Abhisit announced a major reshuffle could take place after the opposition Puea Thai initiates a no-confidence debate in parliament, most likely sometime next month. MUSICAL DEMOCRAT CHAIRS -------------- ¶3. (U) The Democrat Party's cabinet changes unfolded as previewed in REF B: Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit became Public Health Minister, replacing Witthaya Kaewparadai, who resigned due to accusations of malfeasance. Witthaya in turn replaced Chinnaworn Bunyakiat as chief government whip, allowing Chinnaworn to move into Jurin's position as Education Minister. Party deputy leader Trairong Suwannakhiri replaced Korbsak Sapavasu as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, while Korbsak resigned as DPM last week so that he could fill the vacant position of Secretary General for PM Abhisit. PJT SPRINGS A LAST-MINUTE SURPRISE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) PJT was less transparent about changes to its portfolios within the cabinet. The forced resignation of Deputy Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi (REF A) sparked several days of debate within the PJT, with the position ultimately landing in Phansiri Kulnardsiridamrong's lap. Phansiri is the sister of Matchima faction leader Somsak Thepsuthin. In an unexpected twist, Deputy Transport Minister Prajak Kaewlaharn stepped down on January 14. The PJT nominated Suchart Chokechaiwatthanakorn to replace Prajak. JOHN