Royal Endorsement for Thailand’s New Cabinet Anticipated This Wednesday
PUBLISHED: 3 Sep 2024 at 20:39
The eagerly awaited lineup for Thailand’s new cabinet is set to be submitted for royal endorsement on Wednesday, according to internal sources from the ruling party.
The Council of State, responsible for evaluating the qualifications of cabinet candidates, has completed its review and forwarded the list for a final check by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra before seeking royal approval.
Following the ceremonial oath-taking before His Majesty the King, the new cabinet will convene for its inaugural meeting to outline its policy statement, expected to be presented before parliament between September 11 and 13.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn confirmed the cabinet list is finalized and Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, her secretary-general, will present it to the palace. “We are past the preparatory stages and moving into procedural matters,” she stated.
Highlighting the pressing nature of current challenges, Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized that there would be no honeymoon period for the new administration. “We must ensure continuity on the initiatives of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin,” she noted.
Moreover, she urged party MPs to increase engagement with their constituents to better address community issues and solutions.
The prime minister reaffirmed the commitment to the flagship digital wallet scheme aimed at distributing 10,000 baht to approximately 50 million eligible citizens, despite necessary adjustments, including the possibility of cash disbursement.
The future of this initiative remains uncertain, especially after the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Mr. Srettha; however, insiders suggest that the scheme will not be discontinued but tailored to support vulnerable populations within a budget of 122 billion baht.
Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the upcoming policy announcement will mirror those proposed by Mr. Srettha, affirming that the new government remains committed to its electoral promises and addressing economic challenges.
In another development, Caretaker Deputy Minister of the Interior, Chada Thaised, announced his decision to withdraw from the cabinet candidacy to allow his daughter, Sabeeda Thaised, to assume the position.
Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the Council of State, clarified that the council has been consulted solely about the eligibility of cabinet candidates and has yet to review the finalized cabinet list.
