Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, announced on Monday that she has finalized the lineup for her cabinet and intends to seek royal endorsement later this week. This step marks a significant move towards stabilizing the country’s government following a period of political unrest.
The finalized cabinet is expected to maintain the current finance and foreign ministers while introducing 11 new ministers and deputy ministers. These details were reported by local media, which cited anonymous sources. Sorawong Thienthong, Secretary General of Paetongtarn’s ruling Pheu Thai Party, hinted that the new government might have a slightly larger parliamentary majority than the previous administration.
Paetongtarn, who took office as Prime Minister on August 16, assumed the position after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was disqualified due to ethical violations. At just 37 years old, she is Thailand’s youngest prime minister and only the second woman to hold the office. Paetongtarn also continues the legacy of her influential family, becoming the fourth member to serve as Prime Minister.
The new coalition government has undergone a significant shift by excluding the military-aligned Palang Pracharat Party and bringing in the Democrat Party, a long-standing rival, into the coalition.
Senior officials from the caretaker government have indicated that the new cabinet should be fully established by mid-September. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has expressed confidence in the smooth transition, stressing the importance of maintaining stability and effective governance during this critical time.
