Anutin insists interior portfolio remains with his Bhumjaithai party

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the interior portfolio is still with his Bhumjaithai party, as agreed during the formation of the coalition government. His confirmation comes amidst rumours that the ruling Pheu Thai party is seeking direct political control of the Interior Ministry.

Asked if the Bhumjaithai party is ready to switch to the opposition camp, if it loses the interior portfolio, Anutin, also Bhumjaithai party leader, said “yes”.

He also claimed, though, that there is no reason for the Interior Ministry to be removed from the supervision of the Bhumjaithai party, claiming that his party has not done any damage to the government, has always been supportive and is ready to stand with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in all situations.

Anutin met privately with Paetongtarn yesterday, but both denied that they discussed a Cabinet reshuffle. He said, though, that if there is to be a Cabinet reshuffle, it must involve all coalition parties.

Anutin was conspicuously absent from today’s Cabinet press conference.

He disclosed that, during the private meeting, he sought help from the prime minister over the decision by the Election Commission (EC) to charge him and other senior party members with attempting to subvert the democratic system over alleged Senate election collusion.

Anutin said the charges against him and the other party heavyweights are very serious, adding that even the coup makers had never filed such charges against other politicians, including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Bhumjaithai party has threatened lawsuits against the EC investigative panel which brought the charges against the party’s members.