Hearts and minds: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made a heartwarming gesture during a group photo session with her cabinet ministers on the lawn of Government House on Saturday. The ministers had just been granted an audience with His Majesty the King for their swearing-in ceremony, during which the entire 35-member cabinet received the King’s approval. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has committed to fulfilling her full three-year term in office and has taken proactive measures by forming a team to address any legal complaints that may arise against her. Following a special cabinet meeting at Government House on Saturday, she outlined the government’s policy statement to be presented to parliament on September 12–13.
The government is obligated to present its policy statement to parliament before it can commence its operations. As Ms. Paetongtarn expressed, “I am dedicated to carrying out my duties until I complete my three-year term, ensuring the continuity of policies initiated by my predecessor, Srettha Thavisin.”
Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized her alignment with the Pheu Thai Party, just like Mr. Srettha before her. She added, “We have also considered policy proposals from coalition parties for inclusion in our statement. Many policies will be carried over from Mr. Srettha’s government, while coalition parties have discussed adjustments to ensure they are relevant to current circumstances.”
Ms. Paetongtarn assumed the role of prime minister after Mr. Srettha was dismissed by the Constitutional Court on August 14 for an ethical violation regarding the appointment of ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. With about three years left in her term, she plans to work closely with her cabinet ministers, meeting with each of them separately every week.
“Each cabinet minister and I are ready to work for the country. We will race against time to ensure maximum benefit for the people,” she stated assuredly.
Additionally, the prime minister announced the formation of a legal team to provide counsel and handle complaints against the government. When asked about the complaints against her, she said, “I will do my best to address them. I prefer to avoid lawsuits, especially since my children are still young.”
Complaints have already begun to surface, with political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana filing a complaint with the Election Commission last Wednesday, alleging that Ms. Paetongtarn is being manipulated by her father, Thaksin Shinawatra. The complaint also questioned her legitimacy given her resignation from 20 directorships before assuming office.
During the special cabinet meeting on Saturday, Ms. Paetongtarn outlined her priorities for her ministers, marking her first official statement post-cabinet oath-taking before His Majesty the King on Friday. She stressed the importance of adhering to the King’s guidance, which she described as both inspiring and instructive for the government’s future work.
Ms. Paetongtarn called for the continuation of Mr. Srettha’s economic policies, instructing ministers to prepare lists of candidates for permanent secretary positions within their ministries to fill vacancies. These lists will be reviewed after the policy statement is delivered to the cabinet. Moreover, ministers must be prepared to address questions regarding their portfolios during the policy statement.
Communication and promotion of policies to enhance public understanding were emphasized. Another priority is to sustain the economic stimulus measures initiated by Mr. Srettha.
A source disclosed that the special cabinet meeting also approved the appointment of Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej as the Prime Minister’s secretary-general. Dr. Prommin, who shares a close connection with the Shinawatra family, previously held this position under the Srettha administration.
At the forefront of the government’s agenda is the Pheu Thai Party’s flagship digital wallet handout scheme, scheduled to be implemented before the end of the 2024 fiscal year on September 30. According to government sources, parliament has already passed a supplementary bill increasing the fiscal budget by 122 billion baht to partially fund the scheme. However, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has indicated that adjustments to the handout program are necessary, including the possibility of distributing cash instead of digital money to some recipients.
Her father’s influence is a real concern. Manipulation in politics is nothing new, but this feels like a blatant power play by the Shinawatra family.
You’re overreacting. If she can prove herself competent, what’s the issue? Dynastic politics can be a problem, but isn’t competence what matters most?
Competence matters, sure, but there’s too much history of corruption in that family to ignore. Trust is important too, and they’ve shattered it repeatedly.
Why is she still carrying on Srettha’s policies? Shouldn’t she have her own vision? Feels like there’s no real leadership here.
Continuity is sometimes good, Anya. Transition of power with consistent policies ensures stability. Especially in volatile times.
Agree with @politico42. Changing everything immediately can create chaos. Let’s see how long this so-called stability lasts, though.
A legal team to handle complaints is just a band-aid. Real leadership tackles issues head-on, not by hiding behind lawyers.
Well, considering the endless lawsuits politicians face here, having a legal team is practical. It’s not about hiding; it’s about being prepared.
Are we really okay with her focusing on this digital wallet scheme? It’s just a gimmick for votes, not a real economic solution.
Can’t dismiss it like that. If implemented well, it can offer immediate relief to many. Long-term impacts are a different story, though.
Digital wallets sound modern but implementing them in a country with significant digital divide is challenging. Execution will be key, otherwise it’s just wasted money.
Exactly! They need to think beyond short-term handouts and focus on sustainable economic policies.
Interesting choice to keep Dr. Prommin as secretary-general. Seems like loyalty over meritocracy to me.
At least she’s making moves to keep the team cohesive. Meritocracy in politics is a luxury.
Is she just a caretaker PM? Continuation of the previous PM’s policies makes it seem like she’s not actually in charge.
Caretaker or not, if she manages to deliver results, does it really matter? Leadership is often a team effort anyway.
All they do is pose for pictures and kiss rings. When will they actually start doing work for the people?
Politicians often have to play a public role, but that doesn’t mean work isn’t getting done behind the scenes.
Transparency is needed to see what ‘work’ is actually being done. Public ceremonies are one thing, tangible changes are another.
I just hope she addresses the economic issues effectively. Otherwise, the poor will keep bearing the brunt.
Economic reforms aren’t easy, especially in a politically charged environment. But her commitment to working with ministers weekly might bring some positive change.
There’s skepticism about her leadership, but if she stands up against the complaints and delivers on promises, it might change.
I’m not so optimistic, Eddie. We’ve been here before with other leaders. Promises are easier than actions.
Skepticism comes with the territory. But if she stays transparent, it might rebuild some trust. Only time will tell.
Focusing on legal complaints seems to be a distraction from real governance issues.
Handling complaints is part of governance. Ignoring them wouldn’t make them go away. Legal battles are just part of the landscape.
Complaints and lawsuits are inevitable. How she handles them will be crucial in defining her term.
This digital wallet handout scheme is a joke. It’s just a method to garner quick popularity. People need real job opportunities.
Handouts are temporary solutions at best. Long-term economic growth requires more than just digital wallets.
Her association with her father alone should have disqualified her. The whole government seems overly influenced by one family’s whims.
Dynastic politics isn’t just in Thailand; it’s worldwide. While concerning, it doesn’t always mean bad governance. Judge her on her actions.
I’ve seen enough of ‘actions’ from this family. They always seem to be self-serving.
Both points are valid. A clean slate void of past influence would’ve been ideal, but reality is messy.
A diverse coalition government sounds good on paper, but are they really ready to govern effectively?
Coalition governments have their challenges, but they also bring diverse viewpoints. It’s a balance they need to strike.
Seeing is believing. Let’s see how long they can keep up this so-called unity.