Prayut Cabinet reshuffleThe renaming of the ICT Ministry as the Digital Economy and Society Ministry is expected to prompt other portfolio changes.Uttama Savanayana, the current ICT minister, is likely to be appointed the country's first Digital Economy and Society Minister, while some former generals in the Prayut Cabinet could be replaced by new faces as they have served for more than two years.However, the prime minister is still uncertain about some portfolio changes, including the crucial Agriculture Ministry. Olarn Pitak, a senior bureaucrat who retires this September, is tipped to be a new deputy agriculture minister to help Agriculture Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya, one of Prayut 's close aides.Critics said General Chatchai needs to improve the Agriculture Ministry's performance, which is crucial to the government's popularity, especially among farmers and low-income people.General Chatchai was supposed to be part of an economic team headed by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees finance, commerce, industry, ICT and other related ministries, but the Agriculture Ministry is now under another deputy premier, ACM Prajin Juntong, the former Air Force chief.Prajin also oversees the Transport Ministry, which works closely with the Somkid team.A Cabinet source said the Somkid team was in high spirits, especially after the Thai economy picked up in the second quarter of this year, recording a GDP growth of 3.5 per cent amid unfavourable external and export factors. As a result, most key economic ministers will likely remain in their positions.However, the Commerce Ministry portfolio could be changed if Somkid proposes Chutima Bunyaprapat, the outgoing permanent secretary for commerce, as a new Cabinet member.Overall, Prayut has the final say in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, but he will leave all key economic portfolios to Somkid's judgement, except the Agriculture Ministry.The prime minister may use the opportunity to return favours to former generals who support him, meaning those who have already served their time in the government may be asked to leave to clear the way for those who have not been appointed.Among potential portfolio changes in this category include deputy education minister General Surachet Chaiwong; Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew; Natural Resources and Environment Minister General Surasak Kancharat and Labour Minister General Sirichai Diskul. New faces will likely join the Cabinet overseeing these ministries in the reshuffle as Prayut prepares for his third year as prime minister.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 01, 2016 17:15 UTC