August 2005 : Cabinet Reshuffle 2/2 HM the King gave royal approval for cabinet reshuffle, Thaksin 2/2 while the new Selection panel of NCCC submitted 18 names to be voted by the Senate for a new eight-member panel. The government approved a draft royal decree for members of the parliament pension regards to section 229 of the Constitution. Thaksin 2/2 cabinet members HM the King on August 2 gave royal approval for the new cabinet reshuffle as follow: Mr. Somkid Jatisripitak removed from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to become Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister. Pol Gen Chidchai Wannasathit removed from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. Mr.Chaturon Chaisaeng from Deputy Prime Minister to Education Minister. Mr. Preecha Laohapongchana from Foreign Affairs Minister to Deputy Commerce Minister. Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin from Tourism and Sports Minister to Labour Minister. Mr. Pracha Maleenont from Social Development and Human Security Minister to Tourism and Sports Minister. Mr. Newin Chidchop from Deputy Agricultural Minister to Prime Minister’s Office Minister. Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit from Transport Minister to Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister. Mr. Adisorn Piengkes from Deputy Transport minister to Deputy Agriculture Minister. Mr. Thanong Bidaya from Commerce Minister to Finance Minister. Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop from Justice Minister to Deputy Prime Minister. Mr. Sora-at Klinprathum from laboue Minister to Information and Communication Minister. Mr. Watana Muangsook from Industry Minister to Social Development and Human Security Minister. Mr. Korn Dabharangsri from Science and technology Minister. Mr. Adisai Bodharamik from Education Minister. Mr. Suwit Khunkitti from Information and Communication Technology Minister. ACM Kongsak Wantana to Interio Minister. Mr. Pravich Rattanapien to Science and Technology Minister. Mr. Pongsak Raktaponpaisal to Transport Minister. Gen Chainant Charoensiri to Deputy Transport Minister. Previously, on July 10, Mr. Suriya Larpvisuthikun cabinet member of Thaksin 2/1 administration had resigned from Deputy Commerce Minister. NCCC candidates named Eighteen candidates for National Counter Corruption Commission [ NCCC] were picked up from 80 applicants by the Selection panel chaired by Mr. Supachai Poongarm President of the Supreme Court namely: Army commander-in-chief Gen Pravit Wongsuwan. Third Army Region commander Lt-Gen Picharnmet Muangmanee. Provincial Administration Department director-general Siva Saengmanee. Deputy secretary-general to the prime minister Naengnoy na Ranong. Defense Minister Advisory Board Chairman Gen Kasemchart Naretseni. Food and Drug Administration secretary-general Prof Pakdee Pothisiri. Deputy National Economic & Social Development Board secretary-general Santi Bang-aw. Deputy Torism & Sports Ministry permanent-secretary Pirom Simasathian. Supreme Court Chief Justice Kulapat Itthithammavinit. Former Supreme Court judge Surapol Ekayokaya. Advisor attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Pol Gen Darun Sotathipand. Former Supreme Court judge Prasert Khiannilsiri. National Intelligence Agency deputy director Sompote Kanchanaporn. Former Supreme Court vice-president Sawai Chanthasri. Auditor-General Office deputy governor Satcha Sasanavin. Ayutthaya provincial governor Somsak Kaewsuthi. National Police assistant commissioner-general Pol-Lt Wanchai Srinualnad. Attorny-General Khampee Kaewcharoen. The NCCC comprises of 9 members voted by the Senate. Controversy on pension decree Thaksin administration proposed a draft royal decree to award pensions to retired MPs and senators on basis of their holding political position as follow: Between 2-3 years are entitled to pension of 20 % of their last salary. Between 3-7 years are entitled to pension of 30 % of their last salary. Between 7-11 years are entitled to a pension of 40 % of their last salary. Between 11-15 years are entitled to a pension of 50 % of their last salary. More than 20 years are entitled to a pension of 70 % of their last salary. The pension will be effective since October 11, 1997 and would not be applicable to the prime minister and cabinet members. Regards to section 229 of the Constitution stated “Emoluments and other remuneration of Privy Councilors, President and Vice-Presidents of the House of Representatives, President and Vice-Presidents of the Senate, Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, members of the House of Representatives and senators shall be prescribed by the Royal Decree” there are criticism from the public that as most of the politicians are well-off therefore state money should not be spent. Furthermore politicians terms should not be compared to civil servants whose salary are marginal and long serve the country. They also cited that the Constitution does not stated that the pension “must” be paid but “could” be paid and there are other sections more important that need urgent action such as section 54 – a law to provide aids to a person over sixty years of age and has insufficient income, section 57- a law on consumer rights protection and section 214- calling for a referendum. Abhisit Vejajiva Democrat party leader said the decree should be reviewed and proposed setting up an assistance fund for former MPs on basis of individual needs.