26-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced that the country’s new Cabinet will be unveiled in “three to four days,” allowing the new ministers to start working next month. The Prime Minister made the statement on Saturday, citing the need for time to finalize the Cabinet list due to the coalition government comprising many political parties.
Srettha’s Pheu Thai Party is leading an 11-party coalition forming the next government, and the ministerial posts for his party have been finalized, according to the Prime Minister. However, he declined to confirm or deny media reports that he would double as finance minister.
“Please wait for 3-4 more days and it should be completed,” Srettha said when asked about his Cabinet lineup. He also mentioned that background checks on the Cabinet members nominated by the coalition partners could be carried out next week.
The legal process requires new Cabinet members to perform a swearing-in ceremony during their audience with His Majesty the King and for the new government to announce its policy statement to Parliament before it can officially start working. However, Srettha expressed his hope for an earlier start, stating, “We want to start working already.”
Regarding a remark by caretaker Deputy Premier Wissanu Kreangam, who is in charge of the outgoing government’s legal affairs, that the new administration could start working in late September, Srettha said, “We will try. But I want that to come sooner because there are many urgent things to do.”
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MP and senior politician Sutin Klungsang on Saturday declined to confirm media reports that he would become the next education minister. However, the veteran politician said that he was prepared to assume the office if he was appointed to it, citing his experience as a teacher for many years.
Another prominent Pheu Thai figure, Julapun Amornvivat, has been tipped to become the next foreign affairs minister. A five-time MP for Chiang Mai, he is now a Pheu Thai deputy leader and part of the party’s working team on economic affairs.
