July 14, 2008
Bangkok - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej plans to announce his new cabinet line-up later this month, waiting for a decision on another court case which can affect three ministers.
The reshuffle plan was announced on Sunday following a series of legal battles against ministers in his government.
"I will absolutely reshuffle the cabinet. It will be a big reshuffle to make the cabinet better and stronger," he said in his weekly television programme.
"In the past, when people became ministers, it was an honour. But now they arrive in office with one leg in jail," he said.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama resigned last week after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had violated the charter by signing a controversial deal with Cambodia over a disputed Preah Vihear Temple.
Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap was also forced out as he concealed his wife’s assets when taking office.
Previously, PM’s Office Minister Chakrapob Penkair resigned in May due to lese majeste charge against him.
The Supreme Court is set to make a decision whether it will take up a case accusing three ministers of corruption in a lottery scandal. Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee is one of the accused ministers.
