Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BANGKOK165
2010-01-20 09:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
CABINET RESHUFFLE UNFOLDS LARGELY ACCORDING TO PLAN
how-toVZCZCXRO2726 PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #0165 0200923 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 200923Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9628 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7894 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0320 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0832 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 6116 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2248 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0269 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 7526 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0001
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)
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
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