In a captivating display of camaraderie and commitment, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra flashed mini-heart signs during a group photo session with her newly sworn-in cabinet ministers on Saturday. On the verdant lawn of Government House, the symbolic gesture embodied a promise for heartfelt governance even as His Majesty the King granted audience to approve the entire 35-member cabinet. These ministers have sworn an oath to serve the nation, pledging to work under Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s leadership.
Determined to ensure stability and continuity in governance, Prime Minister Paetongtarn has vowed to completing her three-year term. Fresh off chairing a special cabinet meeting at Government House, she discussed significant plans to prepare the government’s policy statement, which is set to be presented to parliament on September 12–13. This crucial step must be taken before the government can proceed with its legislative agenda.
“I am committed to fulfilling my duties until the end of my term to maintain the momentum of the policies initiated by my predecessor, Srettha Thavisin,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn asserted. “As a prime minister from Pheu Thai, just like Mr. Srettha, we have deliberated on the policy proposals from coalition parties to ensure they resonate with the present-day needs.”
Following the dismissal of Mr. Srettha by the Constitutional Court on August 14 due to an ethical breach involving the appointment of ex-convict Pichit Chuenban, Ms. Paetongtarn assumed office with around three years remaining in her tenure. Determined to foster synergy within her team, she pledged to meet each cabinet minister individually on a weekly basis. “We are all geared up to work for the betterment of our nation. Time is of the essence, and we must strive to deliver the maximum benefit to our citizens,” she emphasized.
A legal team under her leadership has also been established to manage any legal complaints against the government. Addressing these potential legal hurdles, she remarked, “I will do my utmost to address any complaints. Lawsuits are not something I wish to be entangled with, especially with young children to care for.”
Indeed, the legal challenges have already begun to surface. Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana recently filed a complaint with the Election Commission, questioning the manipulation alleged by Ms. Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and the legitimacy of her resignation from multiple directorial positions before becoming Prime Minister.
During Saturday’s pivotal meeting, she outlined the strategic priorities for her cabinet ministers. Her directives came on the heels of the cabinet’s formal oath-taking before His Majesty the King, an event she described as extremely motivating, providing vital guidance for their ensuing duties. She called for adherence to the previous government’s economic strategies and underscored the necessity for ministers to compile lists of candidates for permanent secretary roles in their respective ministries to secure seamless transitions as some officials retire and others conclude their terms.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn also urged her ministers to be thoroughly prepared to answer questions from their portfolios during the policy statement delivery. Clear communication and public promotion of their initiatives were emphasized to foster better public understanding and support for their policies.
Economic stimulus remains high on the agenda— a nod to the schemes initiated under Mr. Srettha’s government. A source close to the meeting revealed that Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s secretary-general, a position he held during the Srettha administration as well. Dr. Prommin, who shares close ties with the Shinawatra family, is expected to bring valuable continuity and expertise to the administration.
Leading the government’s initiatives is Pheu Thai’s flagship digital wallet disbursement scheme, expected to roll out before the close of the 2024 fiscal year on September 30. The parliament has already passed a supplementary bill to enhance the current fiscal budget by 122 billion baht to help fund this ambitious program. Nevertheless, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat acknowledges the need for adjustments, hinting at the possibility of disbursing cash instead of digital money to certain recipients to ensure effectiveness and practicality.
In the spirit of transparency and inclusivity, this administration is poised to deepen its engagement with the public, fostering an environment where policies are not merely implemented but are also understood and embraced by the citizens they aim to benefit.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra flashing mini-heart signs! Is this leadership or just a PR stunt?
Leaders have every right to show a bit of personality. It makes them more relatable.
But does it improve governance?
To me, it’s about connecting with the people. If it helps her gain public trust, why not?
Populist tactics often lead to short-term popularity but not always effective governance.
Maybe, but she needs to prove she can deliver on policy, not just on symbolism.
Why stick to the old economic strategies? We need fresh ideas!
Continuity is key for stability. Too many changes can lead to chaos.
Let’s not forget that the old policies weren’t all that successful.
But they laid the groundwork for current initiatives. Abrupt changes might undo progress.
Digital wallet scheme? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Digital wallets can enhance transparency and reduce corruption.
Or create new ways for corruption. Technology isn’t a cure-all.
If properly implemented, it can be a game-changer. Look at some Nordic countries!
Why isn’t anyone talking about Ruangkrai’s complaint? That’s pretty serious.
Maybe because people are tired of the endless accusations and legal battles.
These complaints need to be taken seriously; they question the integrity of our leaders.
Exactly. If we ignore these, we set a dangerous precedent.
Weekly individual meetings with ministers? That’s micromanagement!
Or effective leadership, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
It could breed inefficiency and dependence. Ministers should be trusted to do their jobs.
A balance between micromanagement and complete autonomy is needed.
Prime Ministers shouldn’t need legal teams to manage complaints. What are they doing wrong?
Complaints can often be politically motivated. It’s smart to have a legal team.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. No smoke without fire!
Precisely. Transparency is key, but legal defenses raise doubts.
Prommin Lertsuridej being appointed again just shows nepotism within the government.
Or it could be that he has proven expertise and is needed for continuity.
Nepotism or not, results matter. If he can deliver, so be it.
But is it fair to other capable professionals who don’t have the right connections?
Focusing so much on economic stimulus forgets other areas like education and healthcare.
Economy is the backbone. If it’s strong, education and healthcare can follow.
Adjusting from digital money to cash for some recipients makes sense. Not everyone is tech-savvy.
Paetongtarn talks about fostering synergy, but how long will this honeymoon phase last?
Can we trust Paetongtarn to stay on for the full term or will she get ousted like Srettha?
Let’s give her a chance. Judging too early isn’t fair.
Given the current political climate, skepticism isn’t unwarranted.