Democrat calls for capable people in Samak Government

Theptai Senpong, the party's assistant secretary general, said the shakeup would offer the PM a good opportunity to rectify flaws in his Cabinet, which he said "has seen failures in all aspects".

The Democrat MP said that in reshuffling his Cabinet, Samak would have to take into consideration national interest and unity in his government over personal or party benefit. Theptai also called on the premier to replace underperforming ministers with better qualified people.

"The prime minister should not reshuffle his Cabinet just for the sake of making changes. The benefit should go to the public, and not politicians from the People Power Party," Theptai said.

He said changes in the Cabinet should focus on educational and social portfolios, which he described as a major weak point in the current government.

The Democrat said the government was now facing "a big crisis" from within and without. Inside the government, factions within the ruling PPP were vying for Cabinet posts ahead of the shakeup. And outside of the government, a new round of public discontent was growing against the party's renewed plan to amend the Constitution.