Anutin rejects offer of two portfolios

A cabinet reshuffle is said to be imminent after Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed yesterday he rejected the ruling Pheu Thai Party's offer to trade two cabinet portfolios for the interior ministerial post.

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

It is speculated that a new lineup will be completed soon, possibly as early as tomorrow, and it is unlikely to include the Bhumjaithai Party, which has 77 MPs.

Mr Anutin said Dr Prommin Lertsuri-dej, the prime minister's secretary-general, approached him at the Interior Ministry late on Tuesday afternoon to convey the party’s request to take over the Interior Ministry.

The Public Health and Prime Minister’s Office portfolios were offered in exchange for the Interior Ministry.

Mr Anutin said he rejected Pheu Thai's offer because it fell foul of the coalition agreement and that it had never crossed his mind that it would come to this point.