BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has officially endorsed a new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul after a court ruling dismissed his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, due to ethics violations. These violations were aggravated by public outrage following a deadly border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. The newly appointed Cabinet is anticipated to assume office next week after taking an oath before the king.
Anutin, who heads the Bhumjaithai Party, was elected Prime Minister by the Thai Parliament last month, succeeding Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party. Shinawatra was dismissed after being found guilty of ethics violations linked to a politically compromising phone call with Cambodia’s Senate President, Hun Sen. This phone call coincided with a border conflict in July that resulted in the death of dozens of individuals.
The new Cabinet comprises several officials from Anutin’s party and two other political groups, the Klatham Party and the military-backed Phalang Pracharath, thereby forming the core of his minority coalition government. Notably, many of the new ministers had previously been part of the Pheu Thai-led government that followed the general elections in 2023. The Pheu Thai Party, which currently holds no position in the new Cabinet, has declared its intention to operate as an opposition party.
Anutin assumes dual roles as both Prime Minister and Interior Minister, continuing from his previous position under Shinawatra's administration. The Cabinet also features six deputy prime ministers, one of whom is Thammanat Prompao from the Klatham Party. Prompao is a significant political figure with a controversial past, having been imprisoned in Australia in 1994 for heroin smuggling. He is tasked with overseeing the Ministry of Agriculture.
In addition to party-affiliated politicians, several non-politicians were appointed to significant ministerial roles. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, a former Director-General of the Revenue Department with a degree in economics from the United States, has been appointed as both Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Suphajee Suthumpun, who previously served as the CEO of the renowned hotel chain Dusit Thani, will be the Minister of Commerce.
Further enhancing the Cabinet’s profile is veteran diplomat Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who has been named Foreign Minister. Sihasak brings extensive experience from various roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including serving as Thailand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and as President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2010.
Anutin was able to secure the prime ministership by promising the People's Party, the country's main opposition party, that he would dissolve Parliament within four months and organize a referendum advocating for a new constitution through an elected constituent assembly. The People's Party has a progressive platform focused on seeking constitutional reforms, which were originally imposed during a military government, to foster a more democratic system.
