Controversial former lawyer for the Shinawatra family, Phichit Chuenban, was dropped from the Cabinet line-up of the Srettha government at the last minute.
On Friday night, Phichit announced that that he had decided not to take the post of Prime Minister’s Office minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, which was granted royal approval today (Saturday).
Phichit insisted that, while he is fully qualified for the position, he chose to opt out “so that the country and the government can move forward in addressing problems facing the people. I still have other pressing engagements, so I have decided not to take the post,” he said.
Phichit was added to the cabinet line-up at the last minute, sparking widespread criticism over his past record. He had served the Shinawatra family as its lawyer and worked closely with both prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.
Phichit served six months in jail for contempt of court, over the so-called “snack box” bribery scandal, when he represented Thaksin in 2008. The case prompted the Law Society of Thailand to suspend hiss law license for five years.
