Yingluck gets command of military in reshuffle
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday became the first woman to head the kingdom's defence ministry in a cabinet reshuffle that gives her more influence over the powerful army that ousted her brother. As defence minister, Yingluck claims a seat on Thailand's defence council which appoints army top brass in a nation where the military has carried out numerous coups, the most recent toppling her brother Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday became the first woman to head the kingdom's defence ministry in a cabinet reshuffle that gives her more influence over the powerful army that ousted her brother.
As defence minister, Yingluck claims a seat on Thailand's defence council which appoints army top brass in a nation where the military has carried out numerous coups, the most recent toppling her brother Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.
The leadership of the army is due to undergo an annual reshuffle in October, although it is unclear whether its current chief will retain his position despite approaching the end of the customary three-year term. Yuthasak Sasiprapha, who was appointed deputy defence minister, said Yingluck would not cause problems with the military.
"She can do it; she can work with the army," he told reporters.
Outspoken former deputy prime minister and staunch Thaksin loyalist Chalerm Yubamrung was also downgraded to head the labour ministry.
Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom was axed after facing weeks of flak over a controversial scheme guaranteeing prices to rice farmers that caused the kingdom to lose its place as the world's top exporter of the commodity last year.
The intervention was meant to help poor farmers, but it pushed the price of Thai rice way above that of India and Vietnam, which leapfrogged above it in the world exporters listings.
Public concern increased after ratings agency Moody's warned about the fiscal cost and the government finally decided to cut the intervention price by 20 per cent from July to 12,000 baht (HK$2,991) per tonne.
Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan, a government spin doctor and former head of the now-defunct iTV news channel owned by the Shinawatra family, replaced Boonsong.
