Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is pressuring Manit Nopamornbodee of the Bhumjaithai Party to resign his post as deputy public health minister.
Mr Abhisit plans to submit a new cabinet line-up for royal endorsement next week. He indicated yesterday he wanted Mr Manit to quit before that happens.
Mr Manit, who has vowed to fight claims that he mismanaged an economic stimulus fund, has declined to follow his minister, Witthaya Kaewparadai, in resigning to take responsibility for his part in the scandal at the ministry.
Speaking during a visit to the three southern border provinces yesterday, Mr Abhisit said he had not yet approved Mr Manit's request for 30 days' leave.
"Mr Manit's request will not benefit the management of the ministry," he said.
"I would like Mr Manit to review his decision.
"Next week, I will submit the new cabinet line-up for royal endorsement, so I want Mr Manit to make up his mind first."
Mr Witthaya had made the right decision to resign as public health minister on Dec 29, Mr Abhisit said.
Mr Manit, as his deputy, should consider "moving in the same direction" - an indication he should resign.
Mr Abhisit said politicians, particularly cabinet members, should act above and beyond the call of legal requirements.
He was responding to Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Chavarat Charnvirakul, who said ethical and accountability standards laid down by Mr Abhisit for his cabinet did not represent the law.
Mr Witthaya and Mr Manit were among 11 people named by an investigating panel led by former deputy permanent secretary for public health Banlu Siripanich as being linked to alleged budget irregularities and flawed management practices involving projects for the Public Health Ministry under the Thai Khem Khaeng economic stimulus package.
Leading Bhumjaithai figures signalled yesterday the prime minister had the final say on whether to remove Mr Manit from his post.
Mr Chavarat said the prime minister could exercise his authority as head of the government to reshuffle the cabinet.
He could remove Mr Manit from the cabinet, but he should inform Bhumjaithai beforehand, Mr Chavarat said.
The interior minister said he had not yet received any "signal" from the prime minister.
House speaker Chai Chidchob of Bhumjaithai also said the prime minister had the authority to remove Mr Manit from office.
It would not amount to meddling in Bhumjaithai's affairs.
Mr Chai said it would not affect the work at the ministry whether Mr Manit resigned, nor the work of the cabinet as a whole.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, who will take over the health portfolio in a looming reshuffle, has pledged to deal with corruption at the Public Health Ministry and speed up efforts to implement the government's public health policy.
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