New alliance expected to begin operations on September 15.
The new cabinet’s lineup has been finalized and will be submitted for royal approval this year, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday.
She noted that the background and credentials of the 35 applicants have been thoroughly checked after the screening process, and that she anticipated that His Majesty the King would approve of the lineup by the end of the week.
Ms Paetongtarn was selected by the House of Representatives as prime minister on Aug 16 to change her father, Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court for a “gross morality infraction” over his decision to nominate Pichit Chuenban, a former prisoner, as a PM’s Office secretary.
If the line-up is royally endorsed, the new coalition government led by Pheu Thai will take office on September 15, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
He said that the Council of State, the government’s legal arm, had vetted the qualifications of candidates for the cabinet posts and sent the list back to the cabinet’s secretariat, which will submit it for royal endorsement.
According to government sources, Mr. Phumtham is expected to remain a deputy prime minister while the ruling Pheu Thai Party secured 17 cabinet positions in the new government. He would also serve as defence minister, replacing Sutin Klungsang.
According to the sources, Pichai Chunhavajira is tipped to remain in the position of finance minister while Suriya Jungrungreangkit is expected to keep the positions of deputy prime minister and transport minister.
The sources also said that Somsak Thepsutin is expected to keep his job as public health minister, while Sorawong Thienthong, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, is expected to become tourism and sports minister, replacing Sermsak Pongpanit.
The Bhumjaithai Party, which is Pheu Thai’s largest coalition partner, will be allocated eight cabinet positions, the sources said, noting the cabinet posts held by Bhumjaithai in the previous government will remain unchanged.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai, will remain in charge as the country’s deputy prime minister and interior minister, while Songsak Thongsri and Chada Thaised will continue to serve as the country’s deputy interior minister. According to the sources, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will continue to serve as the labor minister.
The United Thai Nation Party ( UTN) will be given four cabinet posts, with party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga set to retain the posts of deputy prime minister and energy minister, while its secretary-general, Akanat Promphan, will become the industry minister.
Gen Natthapol Nakpanich, a former secretary-general of the National Security Council, will be appointed a deputy defence minister under the UTN’s quota.
Varawut Silpa-archa, leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, will retain the post of social development and human security minister, while Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, the leader of the Prachachat Party, will remain as justice minister in the new government, the sources said.
According to the sources, Capt. Thamanat Prompow’s faction within the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) will hold three cabinet positions, with Narumon Pinyosinwat tipped to take over as minister of agriculture and cooperatives. As deputy agriculture ministers, it is thought that Itthi Sirilatthayakorn and Akara Prompow will be in charge.
Democrat leader, Chalermchai Sri-on will be natural resources and environment minister while secretary-general Det-it Khaothong will be made a deputy public health minister, the sources said.
Despite opposition from its senior figures, the party joined the coalition.