Thailand swears in new Cabinet including suspended prime miner | World News

Thailand swore in new Cabinet members Thursday with its government in flux after the Constitutional Court suspended the prime miner less than a year after the same court removed her predecessor. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was suspended as prime miner while under an ethics investigation for a conversation with a senior Cambodian leader, returned to the cabinet as culture miner.
The top job was filled Phumtham Wechayachai, a longtime ally of Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Miner Thaksin Shinawatra. Phumtham served under Paetongtarn as deputy prime miner and defense miner. He was sworn in Thursday as deputy prime miner and interior miner.
Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, including an armed confrontation in May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.
Story continues below this ad

In a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, she attempted to defuse tensions — but instead set off a string of complaints and public protests. Critics said she went too far in appeasing Hun Sen and damaged Thailand’s image and interests.
The Constitutional Court voted unanimously Tuesday to review a petition accusing Paetongtarn of a breach of the ethics and voted 7-2 to immediately suspend her until it issues its ruling. The court gave Paetongtarn 15 days to give evidence to support her case. It’s unclear when it will rule.
The same day, Thailand’s king endorsed a Cabinet lineup in which Paetongtarn would be the culture miner.
Phumtham was assigned on Thursday to be first of several deputies in line to act as prime miner, said government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. Deputy Prime Miner Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who was acting prime miner in the interim, led the new Cabinet members at the ceremony to receive the endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn at the Dusit Palace.