Commerce Ministry reshuffle "not based on individual merit"

       Any reshuffle of the Commerce Ministry will be based on politicians' favourites and coalition parties' political bargaining power rather than individual performance, sources say.
       The ministry next Tuesday will submit for Cabinet approval a list of senior officials to be reshuffled. Some departments have not yet finalised names of new appointees, particularly new directors-general for each department, as they are awaiting the outcome of politicians' discussions within the coalition parties.
       However, some directors-general have packed up their belongings in anticipation of new assignments.
       A senior ministry source said Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai had not yet finalised her director-general appointees for the Export Promotion and Trade Negotiations departments.
       "The minister must discuss her choices with Deputy Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot and certain politicians before finalising them," said the source.
       It was reported that two present directors-general - Rachane Potjanasuntorn at the Department of Export Promotion (DEP) and Chutima Bunyapraphasara at the Foreign Trade Department - would both become deputy permanent secretaries. Business Development Department director-general Kanissorn Navanugraha will reportedly be named as an inspector-general.
       Commercial adviser Vichak Visetnoi will reportedly replace Chutima, while inspector-general Banyong Limprayoonwong will be named as the new director-general of the Internal Trade Department.
       The source said both Vichak and Banyong had strong backing from politicians for their move.
       In other reported switches, ministry inspector-general and spokesman Krisda Piampongsant will be named as the new director-general of the Business Development Department. Intellectual Property Department deputy director-general Pajchima Tanasanti will be promoted to director-general. And Trade Negotiations Department director-general Nuntawan Sakuntanaga may move to the DEP, while deputy permanent secretary Srirat Rastapana would replace Nuntawan.