Thailand: Thaksin's Cabinet Reshuffle

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Aug. 2 announced a reshuffle of 17 Cabinet-level portfolios in his government, less than five months after his Thai Rak Thai party won re-election. Thaksin — who faces numerous problems within the country — is moving to pacify members of his party, who pose a larger problem for him even than his declining popularity with the people. The move creates a dangerous precedent that could contribute to Thaksin's downfall.