PM Paetongtarn denies Thaksin’s influence on Cabinet

Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly asserted that she alone will decide on the composition of her Cabinet. This declaration follows concerns that her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, might interfere in her selections.

Paetongtarn was officially named Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister on August 18 after securing a majority vote in Parliament. Since then, her coalition partners have been hastily putting forward their nominees for key ministerial positions.

The scrutiny of candidates is expected to be rigorous, especially given the recent controversy surrounding former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s appointment of Phichit Chuenban, who was later dismissed by the Constitutional Court due to his criminal record.

The 38 year old Thai prime minister highlighted internal discord within the Palang Pracharath Party led by General Prawit Wongsuwan, noting that the party is split into factions, each with its own set of nominees.

“Palang Pracharath will need to resolve its internal issues. We will have to wait and see how this unfolds.”

PM Paetongtarn aims to finalise her Cabinet swiftly, citing urgent national challenges that need immediate attention. The current timeline suggests that Paetongtarn will present her Cabinet to His Majesty the King early next month, followed by a swearing-in ceremony.

A policy statement is anticipated to be delivered to Parliament on September 11, in accordance with the constitution, which mandates that a prime minister must present their policy agenda within 15 days of their swearing-in, reported Thai PBS World.

In related news, the iconic furniture from Thaksin’s administration has been reinstated in the Prime Minister’s Office, just in time for his daughter, Paetongtarn, to take the reins as Thailand’s youngest premier.

The sofa set and wooden desk, once the centrepieces of the PM’s office during Thaksin’s tenure (2001-2006), were returned today to their original spots in the Thai Khu Fah building, located within the Government House compound.