Sixth, cabinet reshuffles serve as an instrument for Thaksin to consolidate
power and weaken the bargaining power of other government politicians and coalition
partners in government. Cabinet members are afraid of being left out from the
reshuffle because, according to the 1997 Constitution, losing one's status as a
cabinet member means also losing their status as Members of Parliament. So far, the
super CEO Prime Minister has carried out or threatened to carry out several cabinet
reshuffles during his past three years in power.