Thai king approves Prime Minister Shinawatra's new cabinet

By AJU PRESS Posted : September 5, 2024, 13:57 Updated : September 5, 2024, 13:57
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks at a press conference in Bangkok on Aug. 18, 2024. AFP-Yonhap
SEOUL, Sept. 5 (AJP) - Thailand's new cabinet, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been officially confirmed. The royal gazette published the list of ministers on Wednesday, following King Maha Vajiralongkorn's approval. The 36-member cabinet includes 17 members from Paetongtarn's ruling Pheu Thai Party and 19 from coalition partners.

Several key positions remain unchanged, including Pichay Chunhavajira as deputy prime minister and finance minister, and Marit Sanguanpong as foreign minister. Notably, Phumtham Wechayachai, former commerce minister, has been appointed as defense minister, marking the second consecutive civilian in this role, which has drawn criticism from pro-military conservative factions.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn, unlike her predecessor Srettha Thavisin, will not hold any additional ministerial positions. The new cabinet is set to be sworn in before the King and will then convene its first meeting to discuss policies for parliamentary presentation.

Addressing the press before the royal approval, Paetongtarn stated, "We have no time for a honeymoon period as we must speed up solving urgent problems. We have to continue the work of the previous government." She also mentioned that the proposed 10,000 baht per person subsidy policy, while requiring some adjustments, remains a key initiative of her government.

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