Thai deputy finance minister’s shock resignation

Thailand Deputy Minister of Finance Kritsada Jinavijarana sent shockwaves through the political corridors with his offer of resignation. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin intervened, urging Kritsada to reconsider his decision.

Expressing discontent with task allocation, Kritsada tendered his resignation from the Cabinet. But the 62 year old Thai prime minister, not ready to lose a key figure, stepped in swiftly to persuade his colleague to stay put.

In a candid revelation, PM Srettha disclosed that the resignation is probably about task division, hinting at the underlying cause of Kritsada’s dissatisfaction. Yet, the prime minister assured ample opportunities for collaboration within the Ministry of Finance and his office.

Describing Kritsada as a close ally, the Bangkok-born Srettha emphasised the significance of dialogue and understanding in resolving the issue. He cited Kritsada’s past contributions and potential for future endeavours.

Amidst the political turmoil, speculation looms over potential successors, with Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga hinting at the need for swift party action if Kritsada proceeds with his resignation.

The resignation saga adds to recent Cabinet reshuffles, with Kritsada poised to be the second minister to depart in less than a week, reported The Nation.

As the deadline for reconsideration looms, all eyes are on Kritsada, waiting to see if he will heed the prime minister’s plea to stay.

In related news, newly appointed Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira pledged to accelerate initiatives aimed at addressing household debt, stimulating the economy, and raising personal income.

Pichai, who previously held the chairman position at the Stock Exchange of Thailand and served as the prime minister’s advisor, observed a consistent decline in the country’s economic growth rate over the past two decades during his inaugural day at the Finance Ministry.

In other news, Pichai expressed his readiness to engage in discussions with the governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to align fiscal and monetary policies. Pichai, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, stated to journalists that collaborating with the BoT on policy coordination is part of his job responsibilities.