Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has insisted there are no immediate plans for a cabinet reshuffle, stressing that ministers will be evaluated on the effectiveness of their work rather than their media visibility.
Speaking at Government House on Tuesday, Mr Anutin dismissed suggestions that his recent call for ministers perceived as “low-profile” to deliver more tangible results had sparked a sudden increase in government activity.
“The cabinet has always been active. Everyone has been working hard,” he said, adding that ministers are required to report their weekly achievements during cabinet meetings to encourage coordination and mutual support across ministries.
Mr Anutin said all ministries are equally important, including those that fall under the Pheu Thai Party, the second-largest coalition partner.
He also urged ministers to communicate their work more effectively to the public. Mr Anutin said the Public Relations Department and the government spokesperson’s office would coordinate with ministry spokespersons to expand public awareness of government policies and achievements.
“There are many accomplishments that benefit the country, the people and international confidence, but they remain known only within a limited circle,” he said. “We need to communicate them and create a digital footprint.”
Asked whether he planned to reshuffle the cabinet within three months, Mr Anutin replied, “Not yet.”
In any case, he said, any future changes would depend on ministers’ performance rather than publicity.
“Performance is not measured solely by media exposure,” he said. “It can be assessed through policy implementation and whether government initiatives actually reach the people, which is the government’s primary objective.”
Mr Anutin also said relations within the cabinet have strengthened over the past few months, describing ministers as having developed trust, familiarity and mutual respect.
Paradorn Prissananantakul, a senior Bhumjaithai Party figure, noted that the government has already faced several major challenges, including the conflict in the Middle East, rising electricity costs, and more recently the civil service recruitment exam scandal.
Communication important
Mr Paradon acknowledged that communication with the public needs improvement and said ministers should better explain government policies and achievements to strengthen public confidence.
Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said he viewed the prime minister’s remarks as a motivation for ministers to work harder, rather than a signal of an impending cabinet reshuffle.
He insisted public communication is as important as policy implementation.
“If ministers work hard but the public is unaware of those efforts, the success of government policies will not be reflected,” he said, adding that evaluating ministers’ performance should ultimately be left to the public and the media.
Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, another senior Bhumjaithai figure, said the party remains united and denied speculation about internal divisions.
The ministers’ remarks followed the release of a quarterly survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll), which showed declining public support for both Mr Anutin and his coalition-leading Bhumjaithai Party.
The poll, conducted among 2,500 respondents nationwide between June 29 and July 2, found that opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party remained the preferred candidate for prime minister with 26.1% support, followed by Mr Anutin at 21.7%.
Compared with the previous quarterly survey released in late March, support for both Mr Natthaphong and Mr Anutin declined, from 30.6% and 29.4% respectively.
The People’s Party topped the party preference table at 34.8%, down slightly from 35.8% in March. Bhumjaithai slid to 17% from 26.6%, while Pheu Thai rose to 16.8% from 12%, and the Democrat Party to 12.7% from 11.6%.
