Ready for office: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, centre front, poses with the new cabinet for a group photo at Government House yesterday afternoon before taking the oath of office in the presence of His Majesty the King yesterday evening. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
There’s a palpable buzz in the air as the new cabinet begins its journey, officially kicking off with a special meeting today. The objective? Crafting a comprehensive policy statement showcasing the government’s agenda. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took the lead yesterday, guiding her 35 ministers through their oath-taking ceremony in front of His Majesty the King at the illustrious Ambara Villa in Dusit Palace.
The upcoming week is sure to be monumental. Starting September 12-13, Ms. Paetongtarn will present the new government’s policy statement before parliament, with her official role commencing on September 16. The inaugural cabinet meeting is slated for September 17, and everyone is eager to see the gears of governance begin to turn.
Before rolling up their sleeves, the government is compelled to lay out its policy vision before parliament. Ms. Paetongtarn had earlier mentioned her willingness to incorporate inputs from coalition partners, aiming to finalize the policy blueprint by week’s end.
At the top of the government’s to-do list is the flagship digital wallet handout scheme, a Pheu Thai Party hallmark. If sources are to be believed, this much-awaited financial aid will debut before the 2024 fiscal year wraps up on September 30. Parliament already gave the green light to a supplementary bill, adding a hefty 122 billion baht to the current fiscal budget to help fund this scheme.
Yet, there’s an intriguing twist. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat noted that the handout program needs fine-tuning, which might include distributing cash instead of digital currency to some pockets of recipients.
Further down the policy roadmap, the government aims to uplift citizens’ quality of life, boost prices for agricultural goods, and up the ante in the war on drugs. Long-term visions paint an even more ambitious picture: constructing entertainment hubs featuring casinos and launching a vast water management project to address chronic flooding and drought issues.
Last month, Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister and Pheu Thai’s de facto frontman, highlighted these “megaprojects” at a local forum. His words echoed the emerging policy framework, emphasizing the need to tackle the nation’s perennial flooding and drought problems.
Critics argue that Thaksin’s speech was simply a preview of the government’s upcoming parliamentary address. However, politically charged policies, such as constitutional amendments and the controversial inclusion of lese majeste in a political amnesty bill, will likely take a backseat as the government tackles more immediate economic challenges.
Justice Minister and Prachachat Party leader Pol Col Tawee Sodsong recently laid out his party’s policy suggestions for the new government’s agenda. His proposals include fostering peace in the turbulent deep South through promoting multicultural harmony, improving educational standards, facilitating local participation in peace dialogues, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.
Ms. Paetongtarn has already assigned duties to six deputy prime ministers, each tasked with overseeing critical domains. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is responsible for the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigation. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit will manage the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Culture Ministry, and Public Health Ministry.
Finally, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira will supervise the Commerce Ministry, the Budget Bureau, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry. This collaborative approach signifies a determined start as the new cabinet gears up to tackle the nation’s pressing matters head-on.
Be First to Comment