Bhum Jai Thai flexes its muscles over Cabinet seats

The move was believed to be part of the second largest coalition party's preparation for the next general election.

News of the consolidation came after speculation about possible House dissolution, which yesterday was rejected by coalition figures.

Bhum Jai Thai is seeking to replace Deputy Agriculture Minister Chartchai Pukkayaporn and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti with its own people.

Chartchai, a wealthy businessman, was appointed to his position as the proxy of banned politician Sora-at Klinpratoom, who is an ally of the Friends of Newin faction, which was part of the previous coalition and has joined Bhum Jai Thai.

However, Chartchai is considered an odd man out as the non-MP rarely attends party meetings.

Suwit, leader of the Social Action Party, managed to get his Cabinet seat thanks to support from young MPs who defected from the disbanded People Power Party. Those MPs have now joined Bhum Jai Thai, prompting the party to claim Suwit's seat.

Sora-at made it clear that he would not allow Chartchai's seat to be taken by someone he did not approve of, another source said. The banned politician, who was on the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party's executive board, prefers to pick Chartchai's replacement himself, according to the source.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, who is the Bhum Jai Thai leader, said yesterday that Chartchai's absence from party meetings was causing "some little problems" of coordination with other party colleagues.

The party leader added, however, that he suspected Chartchai had been so busy with other work that he had no time for party meetings.

Chaovarat said he had not discussed with Chartchai changes in the Cabinet line-up involving Bhum Jai Thai. He added that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva believed no reshuffle should be done until the Cabinet had been in place for at least six months.