Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Somkid Jatusripitak, and his four economy teammates are expected to tender their resignations tomorrow (Thursday).
When asked about their impending departures, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana is reported to have confirmed that he, Mr. Somkid, Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations Minister Suwit Mesinsee and Mr. Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy secretary-general of PM’s Office for political affairs, will deliver their resignation letters to Mr. Disatat Hotrakit, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, at Government House at about 8am on Thursday. A press conference is expected to be convened after their resignations are officially tendered.
Mr. Somkid, however, will be in the southern province of Chumpon tomorrow morning, to preside over the presentation of policy on village funds and urban communities.
Government House reporters said Wednesday that Mr. Somkid’s staff have already started packing up his personal belongings in his office in the Government House.
The resignations of Messrs. Somkid, Uttama, Sontirat and Suwit from the Cabinet will necessitate a cabinet reshuffle, according to political sources.
Mr. Somkid and his economic team have been under heavy pressure, from members of the Palang Pracharat party, to quit after they, excluding Somkid, were purged from the party’s executive board.
