Thai PM rules out cabinet reshuffle

Bangkok, May 17 (Xinhua-ANI): Thai Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday ruled out a cabinet reshuffle in the near future but admitted that those banned 111 members from the former ruling Thai Rak Thai Party could possibly join the government.

The five-year political ban on the Thai Rak Thai Party members which will end at the end of this month has recently sparked a wide speculation on cabinet reshuffle.

Speaking upon arrival in Bangkok after an official visit to Qatar and Bahrain, Yingluck said her government would not close the door for those members who want to join the government.

Regarding possible changes in the cabinet, she replied that it depended on timing.

Thai Rak Thai Party was formed by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra in 1998 and was the ruling party from 2001 to 2006. The party was officially dissolved by the Constitution Court on May 30, 2007 due to alleged violations of electoral law in 2006, just eight months after the coup toppled Thaksin regime in September 2006. As a result, its 111 executives and members were banned from participating in politics for five years. (Xinhua-ANI)