Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra lit up the room during a spirited press conference at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters just moments after the royal endorsement ceremony on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Drumroll, please! The highly anticipated lineup for Thailand’s new cabinet is expected to land on the desk of His Majesty the King for royal endorsement this Wednesday. According to inside sources within the Pheu Thai Party, the wait is nearly over.
The Council of State, the government’s own team of legal eagles, has meticulously vetted the qualifications of each candidate vying for a cabinet position. The list is now back in the hands of the cabinet’s secretariat, awaiting a final nod from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra before it gets the royal green light.
Once the new cabinet ministers take their solemn oath of office in front of His Majesty the King, the freshly minted government will swing into action with its inaugural meeting. Top of the agenda? Crafting their policy statement, which they’re prepping to unveil before parliament between September 11-13.
In a pointed statement on Tuesday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn confirmed the cabinet list is prepped and ready for royal endorsement. Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, who serves as her secretary-general, is primed to submit the list to the palace. “It’s all about following procedure now,” she explained.
And if you’re wondering about a governmental honeymoon period filled with celebratory tedium, think again. Paetongtarn made it clear: “We can’t afford to sit back and relax. We have to pick up where former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin left off.”
To add a personal touch, Paetongtarn has urged party MPs to make frequent visits to their constituencies, listen for pressing issues, and figure out actionable solutions. People-first governance, anyone?
The hotly debated digital wallet handout scheme is here to stay. According to Paetongtarn, this cornerstone policy of the new government would persist, albeit with a few tweaks. They’re toying with the idea of distributing the funds in good old-fashioned cash. Originally envisioned as a lifeline for around 50 million eligible Thais, the 10,000 Baht digital wallet scheme wobbled on the brink of uncertainty after Mr. Srettha was ousted from his role as prime minister by a Constitutional Court ruling. Nevertheless, insiders assure that the scheme won’t be tossed aside like yesterday’s news. Instead, adjustments will be made to target vulnerable groups more effectively, working within a budget of 122 billion baht.
Word is, the money could even be distributed through the welfare card system introduced during the Prayut Chan-o-cha government.
Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shed some light yesterday: the new government’s policy statement will notably resemble the one promoted by Mr. Srettha. “It’s from the same Pheu Thai-led government,” he asserted. Expect continuity in efforts to fulfill election pledges, with only minor tweaks to fine-tune the approach.
Though some details may shift, the mission to tackle economic problems remains rock steady. Phumtham, now serving as acting prime minister, emphasized this unwavering commitment.
In a bit of insider drama, Caretaker Deputy Minister of the Interior Chada Thaised announced he would bow out of cabinet post contention under the Bhumjaithai Party quota, paving the way for his daughter, Sabeeda Thaised, to step up. Talk about keeping it in the family!
Pakorn Nilprapunt, the Council of State’s secretary-general, noted that the secretariat had only inquired about the eligibility criteria for aspiring cabinet ministers, not the cabinet list itself. So, stay tuned for more updates as the final checks and balances unfold.
I can’t believe they’re pushing forward with the digital wallet scheme. It’s just a band-aid solution.
A band-aid? It’s at least trying to provide direct relief to people. Better than empty promises.
Exactly! Digital wallets might be confusing for some, but handing out cash works for everyone.
But cash handouts won’t solve long-term issues. We need sustainable economic policies.
Remember the rice scheme debacle? History might just repeat itself.
Isn’t it sketchy that Chada Thaised stepped down so his daughter could take over? Nepotism much?
Yeah, that’s borderline feudal. How can this be democracy?
Unfortunately, that’s politics everywhere. At least they’re up front about it.
True, but transparency doesn’t make it right.
Paetongtarn’s focus on people-first governance is a refreshing change. Lets hope it sticks.
People-first sounds nice on paper, but implementation is always the issue.
Absolutely! Good intentions often get bogged down by bureaucracy.
Totally. It’ll take more than a good slogan to make effective changes.
I’m concerned about the budget for these projects. Can Thailand really afford 122 billion baht?
Not without significant trade-offs or increased taxation. It’s a risky move.
More taxes might lead to more economic strain on the people.
Right, and how many of these schemes actually pay off?
Hopefully they’ve done their homework. Let’s see how they handle this.
Why does this feel like another round of musical chairs in Thai politics?
Because it is! Just a new set of faces but the same old games.
Reminds me of a soap opera.
Yup, and it’s all for show.
What’s with all the legal checks? Seems like overkill.
Better safe than sorry. The last thing we need is another legal scandal.
True, but sometimes these checks are used to delay stuff.
Point taken. It’s a delicate balance.
The vetting process ensures only qualified candidates make it through. It’s essential.
Focusing too much on redistribution can harm growth. We need investment and innovation.
True, but without addressing basic needs, growth won’t be inclusive.
It’s a balance. Both are necessary for sustainable development.
Absolutely. The focus should be on long-term, not just quick fixes.
Continuity in policy can be a good thing. Stability promotes confidence.
But isn’t this just a way to cover up their lack of new ideas?
Sometimes old ideas just need better execution. New isn’t always better.
Exactly, it’s more about how policies are implemented.
Fair point. Execution is key.