Govt looks to be setting stage for poll
Written by changthai11 on Friday, October 10th, 2008
Govt looks to be setting stage for poll
PPP shifts own people into vital governor spots
PRADIT RUANGDIT
A general election could be called once the government has completed the reshuffle of provincial governors and local officials with ties to the ruling party, an informed source in the People Power party said.
The source said some key PPP members were involved in the preparation of the reshuffle list of 62 provincial governors and senior interior officials that were proposed to the cabinet by Interior Minister Kowit Wattana.
The key PPP members were former Thai Rak Thai party deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat’s wife Yaowapa and Newin Chidchob, who heads a PPP faction.
“In the North, PPP key leaders have tried to appoint their own people as governors in every province in preparation for the general election.
“They’ve been bargaining over the governor posts until last night [Tuesday],” said the source.
He said Pol Gen Kowit had had a limited role in the reshuffle list.
The cabinet yesterday approved the reshuffle list of 62 provincial governors and C-10 level officials in the Interior Ministry during its first meeting since the government’s policy announcement on Tuesday.
On the list, for some northern provinces, Lamphun governor Amornphan Nimanan was made Lampang governor. Lampang governor Direk Konkleep was made Lamphun governor.
Chumphon governor Manit Wattanasen, who is reportedly linked to Mr Newin, was transferred to Khon Kaen as governor.
Wichai Srikwan, the director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA), was appointed deputy permanent secretary of interior, and Ratchaburi governor Wongsak Sawatpanich replaced him as the DPA director general.
According to government spokesman Nattawut Saikua, the cabinet also agreed to assign the prime minister and certain cabinet members to supervise what are called “administrative inspection zones”, each of which encompasses several provinces, in the North, the stronghold of the PPP.
Political observers viewed the move as preparation for the party’s canvassing campaign for the next general election.
Mr Nattawut said Mr Somchai would oversee inspection zones 15, 16 and 17 which cover altogether 12 northern provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister Chaovarat Charnveerakul would be in charge of inspection zones 5, 6 and 8 which cover lower central provinces, upper southern provinces along the Gulf of Thailand coast and five southern border provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat would supervise inspection zones 1, 3 and 7 covering nine central provinces and five southern provinces along the Andaman coast.
PM’s Office Minister Sukhumpong Ngonkam would look at inspection zones 9, 10 and 12 spanning the four eastern provinces and eight northeastern provinces.
PM’s Office Minister Suphon Phongngam is given inspection zones 11, 13 and 14 in the 11 northeastern provinces to supervise.
