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Thai Prime Minister reshuffles cabinet again

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced 12 changes in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle yesterday which was due to be presented to King Bhumibol Adul-yadej for approval.

Thaksin, who commands more political power than any other civilian leader in Thai history, was making his seventh reshuffle since becoming premier in 2001.

He has said he is making "major" changes but has not publicly disclosed details ahead of King Bhumibol's approval.

"The new list of the reshuffled cabinet will be submitted for royal approval midday today, and the list involves 12 ministers including one outsider, a non-Thai Rak Thai member," Thaksin told reporters yesterday. Hiss Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party holds an unprecedented majority in government, and 28 of the 35 cabinet posts are currently held by TRT members.

The shift could see one of the TRT's coalition partners, the Chart Pattana party, ousted from government, sources said.

The three current cabinet members from Chart Pattana will be dumped, sealing the exclusion of the party from the TRT-led coalition, government sources said.

Thailand's highly revered monarch is expected to approve the new list over the weekend.

"If approved I will lead all 12 ministers for the royal oath-taking ceremony with the king next Monday," Thaksin said.
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