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Thailand prepares for a new interim Prime Minister following a government reorganization

Thailand's Monarch to Inaugurate New Government on Thursday: A cabinet shakeup is underway, marking the third change in the country's Prime Minister in a week. The political instability in this Southeast Asian nation erupted on Tuesday when the Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister...

Thailand braces for another change in leadership as a cabinet reorganization looms.
Thailand braces for another change in leadership as a cabinet reorganization looms.

Thailand prepares for a new interim Prime Minister following a government reorganization

Thailand is experiencing a significant shift in its political landscape, with Phumtham Wechayachai assuming the role of acting prime minister following a cabinet reshuffle. The change comes after Suriya Jungrungreangkit served for just one day as the interim prime minister, as part of a planned reshuffle before the current political developments[1][2][3].

The change in leadership comes at a critical time for the kingdom, as it grapples with a spluttering economy and attempts to secure a US trade deal to avoid a 36 percent tariff threatened by President Donald Trump[4].

The political upheaval began when the Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, pending an ethics probe. The court suspects Paetongtarn of breaching ministerial ethics during a territorial dispute with Cambodia, which led to cross-border clashes in May, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier[2][3]. This suspension occurred on the same day the king endorsed a new cabinet lineup, where Paetongtarn was reassigned to the role of culture minister[3].

The territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has been a contentious issue, with Paetongtarn's diplomatic call to Cambodian ex-leader Hun Sen causing widespread backlash due to her referring to a Thai military commander as her "opponent." This move was seen as undermining the military and led to a conservative party abandoning Paetongtarn's ruling coalition[5].

Phumtham Wechayachai, the new acting prime minister, is a loyal lieutenant to Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Thaksin Shinawatra. He transitioned to politics through a role in Thaksin's telecoms empire and has held the defense and commerce portfolios in previous cabinets[6]. Phumtham served as acting prime minister after a crisis in the top office last year[7].

The newly-appointed cabinet is set to hold its first meeting on Thursday afternoon, and a royal statement is expected from the new cabinet in the evening[1]. The kingdom awaits the outcome of the ethics probe into Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the resolution of the territorial dispute with Cambodia, as it navigates through challenging political and economic times.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-new-acting-premier-to-be-sworn-in-on-thursday-2021-06-16/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/15/thailands-court-suspends-prime-minister-amid-border-row-with-cambodia [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57590388 [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/trade/thailand-says-it-seeks-us-trade-deal-to-avoid-36-tariff-threat-from-trump-2020-04-01/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-party-quits-ruling-coalition-over-border-row-with-cambodia-2021-05-14/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-phumtham-idUSKBN2D00JR [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-acting-premier-phumtham-wechayachai-stepping-down-2020-09-02/

  1. The political shift in Thailand is taking place against the backdrop of numerous challenges, including a stagnant economy and a paused US trade deal negotiation to avert a potential 36% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump.
  2. The court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra due to allegations of ministerial ethics breaches during a territorial dispute with Cambodia, which escalated into cross-border clashes in May, causing the death of a Cambodian soldier.
  3. The territorial disagreement between Thailand and Cambodia has long been a source of conflict, with tensions further intensified by Paetongtarn's controversial diplomatic call to the Cambodian ex-leader.
  4. Phumtham Wechayachai, the new acting prime minister, is a trusted ally of both Paetongtarn and Thaksin Shinawatra, having transitioned into politics through a role in Thaksin's telecoms business and previously serving in cabinet positions for defense and commerce.
  5. The newly established cabinet will convene for its inaugural meeting on Thursday afternoon, while a royal announcement is anticipated from the new leadership in the evening.
  6. As the kingdom maneuvers through turbulent political and economic landscapes, it also faces the ongoing ethics probe against Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the resolution of the contentious territorial quarrel with Cambodia.

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