Bangkok, Nov 08: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reshuffled his cabinet today, sacking five ministers and dumping a coalition government partner, the Royal Command said. The changes, which required the approval of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, boosted the number of Thai Rak Thai party members in the 35-person cabinet to 30 from 28.
Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbaransi of the ousted coalition partner Chart Pattana party, as well as Education Minister Pongpol Adireksarn of Thai Rak Thai were among those who lost their posts.
Thaksin shifted Commerce Minister Adisai Bodharamik to fill the education slot, one of seven positions rotated among existing cabinet members, while promoting Deputy Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook to the post of minister.
The manouvering was aimed at streamlining efficiency and strengthening government operations, Thaksin said.
"The government still has one more year left before the next election and I wanted it to be working like a race horse and not a lame duck," the billionaire tycoon turned premier told reporters today ahead of the King's approval.
Bureau Report