Thailand formally unveiled its new Cabinet on Wednesday following King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s approval of 35 appointments under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The reshuffled leadership arrives in the wake of significant political shifts, as Paetongtarn, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, assumed office on August 16. Her appointment follows the forced removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who was ousted by the Constitutional Court for an ethics violation involving a Cabinet member with a criminal past.
Paetongtarn’s ascent marks the continuation of her family’s long-standing influence in Thai politics. The Pheu Thai Party, which she leads, came to power after last year’s election despite the progressive Move Forward Party winning the most seats. Senate opposition to Move Forward’s prime ministerial candidate ultimately allowed Pheu Thai to form a governing coalition.
The new Cabinet largely mirrors Srettha’s team, retaining key figures such as Deputy Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Pichai Chunhavajira, who also hold the posts of Interior and Finance Ministers, respectively. The royal endorsement followed weeks of speculation about the Cabinet lineup, particularly after the military-aligned Palang Pracharath Party was excluded from the coalition. The party’s leader, retired General Prawit Wongsuwan, is believed to have played a role in the ethics case that removed Srettha from office before he completed his first year. Pheu Thai’s new coalition now includes the Democrat Party, with its leader, Chalermchai Sri-on, taking over the Natural Resources Ministry, previously held by Prawit’s brother.
The Cabinet reshuffle reflects a broader effort by Pheu Thai to navigate Thailand’s complex political landscape, which has been shaped by years of rivalry between pro-Thaksin forces and conservative elements. The Thai Rak Thai Party, Pheu Thai’s predecessor, ended the long-standing dominance of the Democrat Party in 2001, only for Thaksin to be ousted by a military coup in 2006. His removal set off years of political conflict involving his supporters and opponents, extending to the courts, Parliament, and street protests.
In light of Srettha’s ousting over ethics concerns, Paetongtarn’s Cabinet appointments were scrutinized to avoid any legal complications. Notably, Sabida Thaised replaced her father, Chada Thaised, as Deputy Interior Minister after he faced accusations of ordering two murders in the early 2000s. Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, who was imprisoned in Australia for heroin trafficking, also lost his seat.
Legal experts have pointed to the potential for further challenges. “There’s a lot of room in the constitution for ethics probes, and the Constitutional Court wields significant power in interpreting these issues,” said Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law professor at Thammasat University, in an interview with The Associated Press. He noted the subjectivity of the court’s terminology, which includes phrases like “evidently honest” and “ethical standards.”
The appointments, as announced in the Royal Gazette on September 4, 2024, include several high-profile figures, such as Phumtham Wechayachai as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, and Suriya Juengrungruangkit as Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister. Other key appointments include Varawut Silpa-archa as Minister of Social Development and Narumon Pinyosinwat as Minister of Agriculture.
The Cabinet is set to be sworn in during an audience with the King on Friday, September 6, at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. The following day, Paetongtarn will chair a special Cabinet meeting to discuss the government’s policy statement, which will be presented to Parliament.
