Phumtham tipped for defence in new cabinet line-up

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.

Asked by a reporter this morning at the City Pillar Shrine whether Phumtham will he be nicknamed “Big Ouan” if he becomes Minister of Defence, he laughingly replied that he is already fat, so there is no need to also call him ‘big’.

Phumtham accompanied Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on a visit to the shrine in Bangkok this morning, to pay their respects to Chao Pho Lak Mueang and to seek blessings for their new government, which is in the process of being formed.

The current prospective list of Pheu Thai ministers is:

• Phumtham Wechayachai, deputy prime minister and defence minister.

• Prasert Chantararuangthong, commerce minister.

• Sorawong Thienthong, minister of digital economy and society.

• Chusak Sirinil, PM’s office minister or deputy prime minister.

• Theerarat Samrejvanich, PM’s office minister.

• Suriya Juangroongruangkit, transport minister.

• Surapong Piyachote, deputy transport minister.

• Manaporn Charoensri, deputy transport minister.

• Somsak Thepsuthin, public health minister.

• Pichai Chunhavajira, deputy prime minister and finance minister.

• Paopoom Rojanasakul, deputy finance minister.