Grumbles on the Democrat benches too?

Abhisit has said - not so firmly - that the ministerial seats in his party's quotas would remain unchanged, while "government manager" Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban sees ministers as doing well.

However, reports said a group of "40 new face MPs" had attacked Democrat ministers for accomplishing little and not cooperating with MPs - stories the group denied the next day.

 In fact, the Democrats do not have many new face MPs and it's difficult for the ones they do have to gather and start such a movement. In the Democrats' culture, MPs respect seniority.

 Besides the "heartbroken" MPs - those with little chance of selection - such as Nipit Intarasombat and Chuti Krairiksh, outspoken Chalermchai Sri-on is regarded as still eager to get a cabinet seat. He was also a candidate for the culture minister's post when the Abhisit Cabinet was first formed.

 But many in the party suspect the most eager person for a ministerial seat is former party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon, who has been watching from a field-side bench.

Meanwhile, any movement within the party is not promising and there is very little room for change. The current Democrat ministers were each selected for a purpose.

 The faction under Banyat Bantadtan will certainly ask for more seats in addition to a deputy interior minister position, currently held by Thaworn Senneam.

 Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij has long been established in the position, and the party has no one to replace him.

 Removing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya would mean declaring war on the People's Alliance for Democracy.

 Although Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch is not among the most powerful or senior people in the party, he ranks first in the East.

 Former social development and human security minister Witoon Nambutr, number one in the Northeast has already handed the position to his number two, Issara Somchai.

 Science and Technology Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich has seniority and contributes financial support for the party.

 Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Pollabutr ranks first in the Lower Central, Petchaburi. His expertise in investigation and knowledge about agricultural product prices was meant to balance Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, who's from Bhum Jai Thai - but he mismanaged the piracy suppression project.

Some Democrats are reminding ministers in the party's quota to pay attention to their, and to their vote-base's, needs.

 At the same time, they are signalling key government members to think of them, not coalition members like Bhum Jai Thai and Newin Chidchob's faction.

Bancha@nationgroup.com,

Kornchanok@nationgroup.com