Suriyajungrungreangkit to temporarily serve as Prime Minister on a single day.
In a significant political shift, Phumtham Wechayachai, a seasoned Thai politician with a background in defense and commerce, has been appointed as the acting Prime Minister of Thailand. The appointment comes following a special Cabinet meeting on July 3, 2025, and is a response to the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was serving as Prime Minister, pending a court review.
Paetongtarn's suspension is tied to allegations of breaching ministerial ethics, a decision made by the Constitutional Court of Thailand. The suspension, which could last for months, has left a power vacuum in the Thai government. As the acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai will oversee the administration during this period.
Phumtham Wechayachai's political career has been linked to the influential Shinawatra family, notably Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister and founder of the Pheu Thai Party's political dynasty. His experience and connections made him a suitable candidate for the role.
It is important to clarify the initial confusion in reports about Suriya Jungrungreangkit also being considered for the acting PM role. While Suriya was mentioned as a potential acting PM in some reports prior to Phumtham's official appointment, there is no clear indication that Suriya was officially serving as acting PM at the time Phumtham was appointed.
Paetongtarn's suspension comes amidst a series of political challenges. The conservative party abandoned her ruling coalition, leading to a scheduled cabinet reshuffle. Paetongtarn's approval rating has plunged, and thousands have protested over the weekend against her leadership. Conservative lawmakers accused her of kowtowing to Cambodia and undermining the military, and entered a case with the Constitutional Court alleging she breached the constitution's ministerial ethics code.
A leaked recording revealed that during a diplomatic call, Paetongtarn referred to a Thai military commander as her "opponent", causing widespread backlash. The territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has caused cross-border clashes in May, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Paetongtarn made a diplomatic call to Cambodian ex-leader Hun Sen, referring to him as "uncle" in the conversation.
The waning of the Shinawatras' influence is evident as Paetongtarn's pause from office represents a dramatic decrease in their power. The Shinawatras have been involved in political struggles with Thailand's conservative establishment since the early 2000s.
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, a veteran operator with a reputation in Thai media as a political weathervane, always aligning himself with the government of the day, began his engagements by attending a ceremony in Bangkok celebrating the longevity of the Prime Minister's Office. Despite being suspended, Paetongtarn assigned herself the culture minister position in the new cabinet.
The incoming interior minister Phumtham Wechayachai will replace Suriya Jungrungreangkit as acting prime minister in a scheduled oath-swearing ceremony on Thursday, March 3. The ruling Pheu Thai Party stated that Phumtham Wechayachai will take over as acting prime minister after the cabinet reshuffle because he will hold a higher position in the order of succession than Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
Thaksin Shinawatra, father of Paetongtarn, faced a second day of his criminal trial for royal defamation on Tuesday. This trial adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political drama in Thailand. The suspension of Paetongtarn and the appointment of Phumtham Wechayachai as acting Prime Minister are significant events that will shape the future of Thai politics.
In the context of Paetongtarn's suspension and the appointment of Phumtham Wechayachai as acting Prime Minister, war-and-conflicts and politics are intertwined, as the ongoing territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated, causing cross-border clashes and tensions that could potentially escalate further. Additionally, policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, and general-news are crucial elements, as the Constitutional Court's review of Paetongtarn's ministerial ethics and Thaksin Shinawatra's royal defamation trial are key parts of the current political landscape in Thailand. This unfolding sequence of events is reshaping the political future of the country, with potentially significant repercussions for Thai policy-making.
