Poll: Over half respondents want to see cabinet reshuffle

BANGKOK, December 18 (TNA) - Frustrated by the government’s performance over handling of severe flood disaster in the country, more than half of total respondents in a poll conducted recently by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University agreed that it is the right time now for a cabinet reshuffle. Although the coalition government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has administered the country for about four months following a general election, over half of the 1,827 total people living in Bangkok and surrounding provinces agreed in the poll conducted between December 13 – 17 that they would want to see a cabinet reshuffle. Those favoured for the cabinet reshuffle said they had not yet seen an outstanding performance of the government so far while conflicts were seen among ministers at certain ministries. 44.91 per cent of the total respondents agreed that reshuffle should be made in January instead of having to wait for six months after ministers have come into the office. Respondents amounting 29.23 per cent said Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, also a deputy prime minister, should be reshuffled followed by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut of which 20.12 per cent said he should be booted out. They said ministers at Transport and Education ministries should also be reshuffled. However, up to 57.89 per cent of the respondents said they were still uncertain whether the government would be stable after a reshuffle is made. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, now being criticised by many people, especially the major opposition Democrat Party, over his ministry reissuing passport to ousted, fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is confident that he would not be left out in the cold if a reshuffle takes place. (TNA)