Thailand Confirms Appointment of Phumtham Wechayachai as Acting PM

2025-07-03 07:08:09

(MENAFN) Thailand's cabinet took decisive action on Thursday, confirming the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai as acting prime minister, following the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

According to a statement from the Thai government, Phumtham, designated as the first acting prime minister, will assume all powers and duties typically held by the country's leader. The announcement came after a formal swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed cabinet members.

In a related move, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who had previously served as acting prime minister, was re-designated as the second acting prime minister.

Paetongtarn, who was also named as culture minister during a recent cabinet reshuffle, has been sidelined from her prime ministerial functions. This follows an order from the constitutional court, which suspended her pending an ethics investigation.

This development stems from a petition filed last month by a group of 36 senators, who called for Paetongtarn's removal from office. The senators accused her of committing severe ethical breaches linked to a leaked phone call discussing border issues with Cambodia.

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