Bangkok: Prasert Chantarawongthong, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, has addressed recent speculations surrounding a potential cabinet reshuffle and the status of the Kla Tham Party. He reiterated that the Prime Minister has not indicated any changes in the cabinet, despite various discussions and opinions among MPs regarding the challenges faced by the public. Prasert emphasized that the decision to increase the Kla Tham Party’s quota is entirely within the Prime Minister’s discretion, and he affirmed that Kla Tham is not a branch party. He also announced that in the next term, the party would field candidates in every district.
According to Thai News Agency, Prasert further clarified that the Prime Minister has stated there are no impending changes, and the Pheu Thai Party continues its operations as usual. He noted that while Pheu Thai MPs have voiced the difficulties faced by their constituents, this should not be interpreted as a precursor to a cabinet reshuffle. The party’s ministers are expected to address these challenges, which is a standard expectation.
Prasert commented on whether the MPs’ voting behavior would reflect the ministers’ adherence to policies, stating that it remains an individual opinion among MPs. He also addressed questions regarding Kla Tham Party’s recent by-election win in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, saying it does not alter the government’s existing proportions. The new MPs are already part of the government side, so their impact on ministerial distribution is uncertain and rests with the Prime Minister’s judgment.
When questioned if the Kla Tham Party serves as a southern branch of the Pheu Thai Party, Prasert dismissed this notion, asserting that Kla Tham has its own independent strategies. He clarified that the Kla Tham Party includes members from the Palang Pracharath Party, which maintains a presence in the South. The political dynamics are seen as typical competition, with Pheu Thai planning to field candidates in every constituency in future elections, aiming for both constituency and party-list MPs.
Additionally, Prasert disclosed that two royal decrees concerning technology crime prevention and suppression have been published in the Royal Gazette. These will be presented to the House of Representatives during the extraordinary session on May 28, with the expectation of smooth approval since the decrees are already in effect.