Samak plans more than 10 changes

Samak said he had completed a list for a new Cabinet line-up which he decided by himself and he would reveal the list on July 28 after the court rules on the two- and three-digit lottery cases against three current ministers.

Samak had asked faction leaders in the People Power Party to find suitable candidates for economic portfolios but the final decision would rest with him.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee has offered to be removed if there is a better and more suitable candidate for the post. However Samak has asked Surapong to stay put.

A source said under the reshuffle plan, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung would swap his post with Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat. Chalerm is expected to oversee court cases involving former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra.

Samak is seeking to replace several ministerial posts in the quota of the Newin Chidchob group and the Sorra-at Klinprathum group, such as Deputy Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew, Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Songsri, Deputy Education Minister Pongsakorn Annopporn, Deputy Education Minister Boonlue Prasertsopha and Deputy Interior Minister Supol Fongngam.

Samak is also considering whether to appoint former army chief General Prawit Wongsuwan as defence minister because he is accepted by the military.

Samak has had difficulties reshuffling the Cabinet because he wants to improve the image of the Cabinet by removing ministers that are not acceptable to the public. He also has to screen candidates to fill some positions left vacant such as that of Jakrapob Penkair, former PM's Office minister; Noppadon Pattama, former foreign minister; and Chaiya Sasomsap, former health minister. Samak also has to replace two other ministers who may face being disqualified such as Transport Minister Santi Prompat and Commerce Minister Wirun Techapaiboon.

The PM also has difficulties persuading competent candidates to fill economic ministries because of the political and economic situation as well as strict regulations laid out in the Constitution.