Team of rivals set to take power in Thailand

Thailand’s new government is set to take office through an alliance of former rival parties and others following the departure of a military-aligned party, after the king endorsed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s 36-member cabinet. 

Wednesday’s announcement of the royal endorsement came three weeks to the day when the Constitutional Court removed then-Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the first civilian to head the government after nine years of military rule, dealing a blow to efforts to return Thailand to a democratic path.

The 35 other cabinet members under Paetongtarn, Thailand’s youngest PM and only the second Thai woman to hold that office, will be sworn in on Friday.

Pheu Thai, the populist party led by the billionaire Shinawatra family, holds 17 cabinet seats, with the remaining 19 allocated to coalition partners representing six parties and an independent group. 

Notably, 23 members from Srettha’s government have retained their posts, while most of the remaining positions have been filled by newcomers and three family members of influential political figures. 

Nopporn Khunkha, an assistant professor at Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University, said this cabinet could bring changes. 

“The idea of ‘no permanent allies, no permanent enemies’ is still very much relevant in Thai politics. The Yellow Shirts and Red Shirts fought for years, but now their leaders are working together,” he told BenarNews. 

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Deputy prime ministers from Pheu Thai are Prasert Jantararuangtong, who will serve as digital economy and society minister; Pichai Chunhavajira, who will serve as finance minister; Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who will serve as transport minister; and Phumtham Wechayachai, who will serve as defense minister. 

Other deputies are Anutin Charnvirakul from Bhumjaithai who will serve as interior minister and Pirapan Salirathavibhaga from United Thai Nation, who will serve as energy minister.

In addition, Pheu Thai has welcomed the Democrat Party, its historic rival, into the coalition. The collaboration has drawn attention, especially given the Democrat-led government’s role in the 2010 Red Shirt protest crackdown, which led to over 90 deaths. 

Notably absent is the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), led by a former senior junta, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan. 

Prawit, 79, had played a pivotal role in the 2014 coup that ousted Paetongtarn’s aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, as PM, leading to nearly a decade of military rule. The retired army general is being investigated over an incident where he was filmed slapping a female journalist who questioned him.

PPRP was formed to help junta leaders maintain control under a civilian-led government following the 2019 election, but it lost power following the 2023 vote.

Pheu Thai surprised many when it included PPRP in its coalition in August 2023 to give Srettha the support he needed to take office. Last month, the court ruled he had to leave office over what it called a gross ethical violation by knowingly appointing a cabinet member who had a criminal record.

‘Thoroughly vetted’

Adisorn Piengkes, a Pheu Thai MP, expressed confidence in the new government’s ability to represent the nation.  

“All cabinet members from every party have been thoroughly vetted. Those replacing former ministers have appropriate educational qualifications, maturity and experience to do the job,” he told reporters. 

Adisorn also addressed concerns about the 38-year-old prime minister, whose father, Thaksin Shinawatra, served as prime minister until being forced out by a coup in 2006. 

“Paetongtarn, being Thaksin’s youngest daughter, can’t be completely separated from that connection, but she must prove herself. Although young, she’s quick to learn and not set in her ways,” he said. “We also have members in their 70s, so this is truly a government for all generations.” 

Labor Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that the government will move ahead with raising the minimum wage across the country, as previously promised by the Srettha administration. 

“The minimum wage of 400 baht nationwide will still be implemented as scheduled on October 1. We are holding meetings with the wage committee this month to finalize the details,” said Phipat, who retained his post. 

‘This should be a lesson’

The cabinet represents the Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation, Prachachat, Democrat, and Chart Thai Pattana parties along with independents.  

A notable inclusion is the political group led by Thamanat Prompow, a former agriculture minister and key figure in the Palang Pracharath Party, who serves as an independent. 

“People who were once part of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) driving out the Shinawatra family, like Akanat Prompan, now hold ministerial positions. Many ideological supporters are disappointed, realizing that political elites ultimately join forces. This should be a lesson for the Thai public,” Nopporn, the professor, told BenarNews.

“This cabinet may not be cohesive yet and everyone knows that Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father, still wields considerable power behind the scenes. While the Thai Rak Thai Party of the past was centralized in decision-making, this is a coalition government, making strong leadership harder to achieve,” Nopporn said. 

Akanat, a member of the United Thai Nation party, has been appointed minister of industry. In 2013, he was a leader of the PDRC movement that ousted Paetongtarn’s aunt, Yingluck, the following year.  

He said joining this government was the best solution for Thailand. 

“I will prove myself through my work and will adhere to all the ideals we have held. I believe that results will be the proof, and I’m willing to listen to all opinions,” Akanat said. 

“For me and the United Thai Nation party, we must choose the method we believe is the solution for the country, or the single best way, to protect the main institutions of the country.”