Deputy Prime Minister and economic tsar Somkid Jatusripitak could his retain his post after an upcoming cabinet reshuffle despite the resignation of his close allies from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, sources said on Monday.
There were rumours inside the government last week that Somkid’s days as the overseer of the economy was numbered after the resignation of Uttama Savanayana from the Palang Pracharath Party.
Uttama was the former party leader of Palang Pracharath before being ousted by General Prawit Wongsuwan in a leadership contest. Uttama is also the Minister of Finance and works closely with Somkid on economic matters.
Resigning alongside Uttama were Sontirat Sontijirawong, the Minister of Energy, Suvit Maesincee, the Minister of Education, and Kobsak Pootrakool, the deputy secretary-general to the prime minister.
All four men were seen as close allies of Somkid and their resignation from the party (and their ministerial portfolios) likely meant the end of Somkid.
In fact, last week Somkid seemed almost resigned to the fact telling reporters that he “was old and lost heart” over his posts and time in government.
But reports from sources close to the prime minister and inside the party suggests, in an apparent about-face, that the Prayut administration was considering keeping Somkid around after the cabinet reshuffle due next month.
Part of the reason stems from Somkid’s running of the economy which was struggling even before the coronavirus pandemic. Now as the virus shutdown continues to take its toll upon the economy, the government is having trouble finding someone willing to step into the hot seat.
“The government has sent out feelers to several technocrats and senior economic leaders in the country but they were all evasive or refused immediately to consider the position,” said one source close to the cabinet.
“No one wants a position with little upside and a lot of potential to screw up reputations,” the source told Thai Enquirer.
According to several sources in government, the economic portfolio has become something of hot potato with no one wanting to accept the job but more than willing to suggest names.
With the Bank of Thailand predicting that the economy will likely contract by 8 per cent this year (which some analysts say is an optimistic prediction), the government has, it seems, a hard time finding someone to take on the herculean task of turning around the economy.
Because of a lack of interest, Thai Enquirer understands that the senior members of the Prayut cabinet might be willing to stick with Somkid in the role despite personality clashes between Somkid’s team and the staff of the new Palang Pracharath leader General Prawit Wongsuwan.
“There is some friction between the two camps but until someone acceptable is willing to accept the position then Somkid might survive the reshuffle,” the source added.
