Deputy Interior Minister Sabeeda Thaised, daughter of Bhumjaithai member Chada Thaised, made her way to Government House on Thursday for a routine Covid-19 test. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
As political dramas go, this one took a viral twist. Two esteemed cabinet ministers from the Bhumjaithai Party found themselves sidelined by unexpected Covid-19 diagnoses. Songsak Thongsri and Sabeeda Thaised, both serving as deputy interior ministers, underwent their routine screenings only to receive the dreaded ‘positive’ result.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. The duo was all set to make a grand appearance before His Majesty the King on Friday, where they were scheduled to take their oaths of office. The ceremony, due to be held at the stately Amporn Sathan Residential Hall at Dusit Palace, was poised to be a pivotal event. But alas, the virus had other plans, forcing them to skip the ceremony entirely.
Their unexpected health setback has necessitated a reshuffle. Not only will their oath-taking need to be rescheduled—thus causing them to miss an eagerly anticipated cabinet meeting on policy statements slated for Saturday—but it also leaves a temporary void at the helm. Stepping up to the plate, Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as the interior minister, has vowed to shoulder their responsibilities—continuing to keep the wheels of governance turning until they bounce back to health.
The ripple effect extends to the top of the political ladder. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to finalize her government’s administrative process. She’s on track to deliver her policy statement before parliament next Wednesday and Thursday. While the absence of Thongsri and Thaised is keenly felt, the show must go on, and the government is ready to forge ahead on its roadmap for the nation.
In the grand theatre of politics, even the most meticulously planned events can be thrown off course. Yet, resilience is the name of the game as ministers juggle responsibilities and ensure governance remains uninterrupted. Here’s hoping for a swift recovery for the two, so they can soon take their place and contribute to the unfolding political narrative.
Well, this virus sure knows how to pick its moments. How can we rely on leaders who can’t even manage their own health?
You do realize everyone has to get tested routinely? It’s just bad luck they tested positive right before the ceremony.
Luck or not, it shows a gap in our planning. Contingencies should have been in place.
Exactly. We need robust plans, not just hope everything works out.
It’s not just about planning; the virus is unpredictable. We should focus on their recovery, not blame them.
What a mess! This will only delay the real work that needs to be done.
Absolutely, Martha. We can’t afford such delays in challenging times.
Hold on, these things happen. Better they recover fully than rush back half-sick.
I think this is just an excuse to buy more time for them to prepare their statements.
Come on, Jake. Why would they need to fabricate a Covid-19 diagnosis for that?
Because political theater is always full of surprises and excuses!
Can we please focus on the fact that two people are sick and need time to recover? The political implications aren’t as important as their health.
Very true, Tara. Health should come first.
Sure, but this is politics. It’s bound to have ripple effects.
I’m worried about how this will affect the policy statements. Can the government really handle these disruptions?
This situation shows how ephemeral our control over events really is. Politics sure is a risky business.
Ephemeral, indeed. But that’s precisely why our leaders need to be adaptable and resilient.
Agree, Sandra. Resilience and adaptability are key in such turbulent times.
When will we learn to have better backup plans for everything? This is so frustrating!
But who could have anticipated this specific situation? It’s not so simple to have backups for every possible scenario.
I hope the ministers recover quickly. Our nation’s work must continue, and they play a significant role in that.
This just shows how vulnerable we all are, politicians included. Let’s hope they have a speedy recovery.
Agreed, Dave. No one is truly immune, and we must support each other through such times.
I can’t help but think of how this will impact the parliament sessions next week. Can they still go on as planned?
Good point, Tony. I guess it’ll depend on how quickly they can reschedule the oath-taking.
Exactly. If they recover quickly and the schedules can be adjusted, we should be fine.
This is just one of many challenges we face. We have to be resilient and versatile in our responses.
For sure, Linda. Flexibility is a key skill we all need, especially in politics.
Can someone shed light on how the reshuffle might impact the current plans? Any insights?
Anutin taking charge temporarily should help stabilize the situation, but long-term effects are unpredictable.
True, Caleb. Stability in the short term can make a big difference.