Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered a riveting address at the Pheu Thai party headquarters following the royal endorsement ceremony on August 18. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Excitement buzzes as the Pheu Thai Party insiders reveal the impending submission of the new cabinet line-up for royal endorsement, expected this Wednesday. These highly anticipated appointments have already been scrutinized by the Council of State, the government’s legal arm, ensuring that every candidate meets the necessary qualifications. With the final list back in the hands of the cabinet secretariat, all eyes now turn to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for a final review before seeking royal approval.
Once the new ministers take their solemn oaths of office before His Majesty the King, the new cabinet is slated for its debut meeting, aiming to iron out a comprehensive policy statement set for announcement between September 11-13. Ms. Paetongtarn confirmed on Tuesday that the cabinet list is primed for royal sanction and that Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, her diligent secretary-general, will dutifully present it to the palace. Procedural formalities, she noted, are now all that stand in the way.
In her characteristic no-nonsense style, Ms. Paetongtarn dismissed any notion of a ‘honeymoon period’ for her government, emphasizing the urgent need to address pressing national issues without delay. “We cannot afford to enjoy a honeymoon period. We must carry forward the momentum created by former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin,” she asserted.
True to her pragmatic approach, Ms. Paetongtarn has mandated that party MPs increase their interactions with constituents to better understand and solve grassroots problems. Among the high-profile policies she champions is the much-discussed digital-wallet handout scheme, which promises to distribute 10,000 baht to around 50 million eligible Thais. Although former Prime Minister Srettha’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court cast a shadow over the plan, Ms. Paetongtarn has unequivocally affirmed its continuation. Some tweaks will be made, such as disbursing funds in cash to better serve the populace’s needs.
This ambitious handout scheme, with a whopping budget of 122 billion baht, aims to target the most vulnerable segments of society. An insider hinted that its implementation might mirror the welfare card system from the Prayut Chan-o-cha era.
On the policy front, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has assured that the new policy statement, which the government will unveil before parliament, aligns closely with the previous Pheu Thai-led administration’s agenda. “It is from the same Pheu Thai-led government,” Mr. Phumtham explained, highlighting that the economic relief goals remain steadfast, though certain details may be fine-tuned to address current exigencies.
Meanwhile, a surprise twist came when Chada Thaised, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, withdrew his candidacy for a cabinet post under the Bhumjaithai Party quota. In a heartwarming gesture, he chose to pass the baton to his daughter, Sabeeda Thaised, underscoring the importance of nurturing new political talent.
To cap it off, Pakorn Nilprapunt, the Council of State’s secretary-general, clarified that the council had only been consulted on the eligibility issues pertaining to prospective cabinet ministers. As of now, they have not seen the complete cabinet list or the vetted qualifications of the candidates, leaving the final decision-making process shrouded in a layer of suspense.
I can’t believe they’re going ahead with this 10,000 baht handout. It’s just a way for Paetongtarn to buy votes!
Isn’t this something that helps the most vulnerable? Not everything is a political maneuver.
Sure, but how sustainable is it? What happens when the money runs out?
It’s short-term thinking. We need policies that build the economy, not just handouts.
Long-term plans are great, but people need help now. This can be a stepping stone.
Relying on royal endorsements for cabinet appointments feels archaic. Why can’t we modernize this process?
The royal endorsement is part of our tradition and political stability. Modernizing doesn’t mean eliminating our heritage.
But it also slows down the process and makes governance less efficient.
Max, efficiency is important, but maintaining stability in a country like ours is crucial too.
Paetongtarn’s no-honeymoon approach is refreshing, but will she really be able to maintain the momentum?
This digital-wallet handout is going to waste taxpayer money. Better infrastructure projects would be a wiser investment.
True, but infrastructure projects take time. Immediate relief can also play a crucial role.
Immediate relief is temporary. We need sustainable growth!
Phumtham’s consistency with the previous agenda is reassuring. Consistency is key in politics.
Isn’t Chada Thaised’s move just nepotism in disguise? Political talent should earn their place.
It could also be seen as mentorship, grooming new politicians. Every coin has two sides.
Can we talk about how little scrutiny the Council of State conducted? Seems like a potential disaster waiting to happen.
Agree. Thorough checks are needed to ensure qualified candidates.
Exactly, political appointments shouldn’t be taken lightly.
I like Paetongtarn’s directive for MPs to engage more with constituents. It brings governance closer to the people.
Call me skeptical, but I don’t believe any of these changes will make a difference. Seen too many promises broken.
Skepticism is healthy, but sometimes giving new leadership a chance is essential.
Why focus on digital-wallet schemes when the bigger issue is unemployment? Priorities seem misplaced.
A lot of drama over this cabinet list. Just show the people the list already. Transparency matters.
Totally, Lucas. Transparency builds trust. Why all the secrecy?
It’s because they want to sneak in unqualified candidates without public backlash.
Instead of a handout, why not invest in healthcare or education? Areas that need long-term commitment.
I honestly think Paetongtarn is doing her best in a complicated political landscape. Give her some credit.
Agree, Joe. Criticism is part of the process, but so is acknowledging effort.
Still, results matter more than efforts. Actions speak louder than words.
True, Decha. But you can’t have results without effort.
What’s the deal with Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej? Seems like a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.
Well, he’s the secretary-general. It’s his job to handle these responsibilities. We should be scrutinizing the whole process, not just one person.
This whole ‘no honeymoon period’ statement is just for show. Let’s see how long this resolve lasts.
I think Chada’s move to step down in favor of Sabeeda is inspiring. We need more fresh faces in politics.
Why is this new cabinet so important? Isn’t it just another shuffle of the same old deck?
Every new cabinet brings opportunities and challenges. Dismissing it outright doesn’t help.
The real test will be how this new cabinet handles pressing issues such as the economy and public health.