ID :
11096
Sun, 06/29/2008 - 15:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/11096
The shortlink copeid
Thai PM denies press reports of cabinet reshuffle
BANGKOK, June 29 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Sunday denied press speculation on the reshuffling of cabinet posts in his nearly five-month-old government.
Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address, Mr. Samak expressed confidence that his government still had a long time to administer the country.
Mr. Samak said he would not let the media to dictate him on changes
regarding his cabinet.
His remarks were made following the censure debate launched by the
opposition Democrat Party against him and seven other ministers which
concluded on Friday. All of them survived the no-confidence debate.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, one of the seven ministers who were grilled in the parliament, said it is up to the prime minister to reshuffle the cabinet. Members of the People Power Party (PPP), led by Mr. Samak and which forms the core of the coalition government, have not yet discussed about a cabinet reshuffle.
Mr. Noppadon, who received the fewest votes of confidence -- 278 compared with 279 or 280 for Mr. Samak and six other ministers, said he also had not heard that the prime minister would axe him from the cabinet.
When asked whether he feels he is working under severe pressure -- as he was fiercely attacked by opposition members during the no-confidence debate on the Preah Vihear temple issue, Mr. Noppadon said he did not feel any pressure and would continue to work on key projects.
Touching on an injunction granted Saturday by the Administrative Court against the Foreign Ministry's support for Cambodia's proposal to apply for the registration of the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site during the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Committee meeting in Quebec, Canada, which opens July 2.
Mr. Noppadon said the cabinet will discuss the issue at its weekly meeting on Tuesday.
The foreign minister said he had not yet discussed with the Cambodian government about its reaction towards the Thai Court's decision but he still believed that there would be a fine way out.
Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address, Mr. Samak expressed confidence that his government still had a long time to administer the country.
Mr. Samak said he would not let the media to dictate him on changes
regarding his cabinet.
His remarks were made following the censure debate launched by the
opposition Democrat Party against him and seven other ministers which
concluded on Friday. All of them survived the no-confidence debate.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, one of the seven ministers who were grilled in the parliament, said it is up to the prime minister to reshuffle the cabinet. Members of the People Power Party (PPP), led by Mr. Samak and which forms the core of the coalition government, have not yet discussed about a cabinet reshuffle.
Mr. Noppadon, who received the fewest votes of confidence -- 278 compared with 279 or 280 for Mr. Samak and six other ministers, said he also had not heard that the prime minister would axe him from the cabinet.
When asked whether he feels he is working under severe pressure -- as he was fiercely attacked by opposition members during the no-confidence debate on the Preah Vihear temple issue, Mr. Noppadon said he did not feel any pressure and would continue to work on key projects.
Touching on an injunction granted Saturday by the Administrative Court against the Foreign Ministry's support for Cambodia's proposal to apply for the registration of the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site during the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Committee meeting in Quebec, Canada, which opens July 2.
Mr. Noppadon said the cabinet will discuss the issue at its weekly meeting on Tuesday.
The foreign minister said he had not yet discussed with the Cambodian government about its reaction towards the Thai Court's decision but he still believed that there would be a fine way out.
