Chumphol's possible replacements named

Chart Thai Pattana is planning to put forward former deputy finance minister Pradit Phataraprasit's name as a replacement for Chumphol Silapa-archa in his post as deputy prime minister, an informed source from the party said yesterday.

The source added that the party would remove Deputy Agriculture Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart from his post in order to maintain Chart Thai Pattana's ministerial quota.

Suwat Sitthilor, incumbent permanent secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, is expected to take over Chumphol's post as tourism and sports minister. Though Suwat will have to resign from his current position before he retires on September 30.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, meanwhile, has denied that the ruling-Pheu Thai Party will reshuffle its Cabinet members, adding that Chart Thai Pattana's changes will only take place after Chumphol's funeral.