Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The executive committee of the ruling Pheu Thai party decided today to exclude the divided Palang Pracharath party from the governing coalition and may invite a new party or even the Palang Pracharath party’s rebel faction, led by Thammanat Prompao, to join, according to Pheu Thai Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong this evening.
A petition has been filed with the Election Commission (EC) seeking the dissolution of the Pheu Thai party, alleging that it is allowing Thaksin Shinawatra, an outsider, to control the party.
Caretaker Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is likely to take the defence portfolio, replacing Sutin Klungsang in the new cabinet line-up, which could also see two other caretaker ministers from the Pheu Thai party ministers removed, Minister attached to the PM’s Office Jakkapong Sangmanee and Deputy Interior Minister Kriang Kaltinan.
The new cabinet is not expected to be sworn for 2-3 weeks, because the secretary-general of the cabinet needs time to screen every proposed minister carefully, according to Phumtham Wechayachai, who is the acting prime minister until the new prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, completes the new cabinet formation and makes her policy speech to the House.
Controversial political heavyweight Thammanat Prompao, the acting agriculture minister, will be dropped from the new Cabinet being formed by newly-appointed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra hinted today that the “digital wallet” scheme may need to be reviewed, due to achange in the country’s economic situation, and said that more feedback is needed, while offering an assurance that economic stimulus policies must continue.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said today that he does not need to be an official advisor to the prime minister because, as her father, she can always call him for advice.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to appear before the Criminal Court on Monday, for a pre-trial hearing in a lèse majesté case relating to remarks he made in an interview with South Korean Chosun media in 2015.
Pheu Thai party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra has officially become Thailand’s 31st prime minister today, following the granting of Royal assent by His Majesty the King.
Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra was elected by parliament as the 31st prime minister of Thailand, becoming the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the top job, following her father, Thaksin, and her aunt, Yingluck.
Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former justice minister and a senior politician of Pheu Thai Party, is tipped to be nominated as a new prime minister, according to informed sources.
