2-9-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has announced that her Cabinet selection process has been completed and the list is set to be submitted for royal endorsement within the week. This development marks a significant step forward in establishing the country’s new government, following recent political upheavals.
Speaking on 2 September, Prime Minister Shinawatra expressed confidence in the swift progression of governmental formation. This announcement comes earlier than anticipated, as senior officials in her caretaker government had previously indicated that the new administration would likely be in place by mid-September.
According to local media reports citing unnamed sources, the new Cabinet is expected to maintain continuity in key positions, with the current finance and foreign ministers likely to retain their roles. However, the reports also suggest a significant influx of new blood, with 11 new ministers and deputy ministers potentially joining the government ranks.
Sorawong Thienthong, secretary-general of Shinawatra’s ruling Pheu Thai Party, provided insights into the composition of the new government. Speaking to Reuters, he suggested that the incoming administration would command slightly more parliamentary seats than its predecessor, potentially strengthening its legislative influence. However, Thienthong remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the new Cabinet members.
The swift formation of this new government follows a period of political turbulence in Thailand. Less than a month ago, Srettha Thavisin was removed from office as premier by a court order. In response, the populist Pheu Thai Party quickly rallied behind the 38-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, despite her relative inexperience in high-level politics. Her subsequent selection as prime minister by Parliament marked a historic moment for Thailand.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ascension to the premiership is noteworthy on multiple fronts. She becomes Thailand’s youngest prime minister, the second woman to hold the position, and the fourth member of her influential family to occupy the country’s highest political office. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a controversial former premier, is widely regarded as a significant power broker within the party, adding another layer of complexity to Thailand’s political landscape.
In a strategic shift, the new government has opted to exclude the military-aligned Palang Pracharath Party from its coalition. Instead, in a surprising move, it has brought the Democrat Party – historically one of Pheu Thai’s staunchest opponents – into the fold. This realignment of political alliances signals a potentially significant shift in Thailand’s political dynamics.
