The prime minister, who is also head of the ruling NCPO, said he had the authority to issue commands by himself regardless of the Cabinet.

Prayut stressed that his government was extraordinary, and unlike civilian ones where ministerial positions matter in a diverse multi-party government. But the coup-installed Cabinet played by rules imposed by the NCPO, he said.

The PM asked the public not to pay too much attention to the matter. The reshuffle would happen sooner or later, but in the meantime the government could still function well, he said.

The reshuffle to fill recent Cabinet vacancies has been highly anticipated amid a pressing need to improve the country’s ailing economy.