The proposed new Cabinet line-up has been completed and authorities concerned are conducting background checks on all the ministerial candidates, before the list is submitted for Royal assent, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra today.
The coalition parties now include Pheu Thai, Democrat, United Thai Nation, Prachachart, Kla Tham, Chart Thai Pattana and Chart Pattana, after the Bhumjaithai party withdrew when it refused to surrender the interior portfolio to the Pheu Thai party.
The prime minister denied a press report that she may also take on the defence portfolio, currently held by Phumtham Wechayachai, a key member of her Pheu Thai party.
She said that Phumtham and his deputy, General Nattaphon Nakpanich, have been working closely with the Thai military, especially regarding the border dispute with Cambodia. She asked the reporters about why they were so interested with the defence portfolio.
Paetongtarn also dismissed a report that the United Thai Nation party had demanded that she step down as prime minister, threatening to leave the coalition if she fails to do so.
