PM’s Office Minister Tewan Liptapallop to quit this afternoon – Thai PBS World

Image Credit: Tewan Liptapallop’s Facebook

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Tewan Liptapallop is due to resign from the Cabinet this afternoon, reportedly to pave the way for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to complete a Cabinet reshuffle.

Informed political sources said today (Monday) that the Chart Pattana Party resolved to let Mr. Tewan resign, so that the post can be filled Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat, currently a government spokeswoman and member of the ruling Palang Pracharat party.

Chart Pattana party’s chief advisor, Mr. Suwat Liptapallop, said that Mr. Tewan’s resignation will make it easier for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reshuffle the Cabinet, following the resignation last week of Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations Minister Suwit Mesinsee.

Mr. Suwat has informed the Prime Minister that his party does not expect a ministerial portfolio in the new Cabinet and will continue to support the governing coalition.

The ruling Palang Pracharat party has picked up more seats in the House of Representatives, because of the defection of several MPs from the Future Forward party, which was dissolved by the Constitutional Court for accepting 191.3 million baht in donations from an illegitimate source. 

The ruling party’s increased House majority has prompted its MPs to demand abinet seats from coalition parties, such as the Chart Pattana Party, which have fewer House seats.