Bangkok [Thailand], July 3: Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit assumed the role of acting Prime Minister of Thailand on July 2, replacing Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is suspended from office.
Mr. Suriya will then hand over the role of acting Prime Minister of Thailand to Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on July 3, according to AFP news agency.
Previously, on July 1, Ms. Paetongtarn was suspended from the position of Prime Minister by the Thai Constitutional Court, pending an investigation into her phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen on June 15. Ms. Paetongtarn affirmed that the purpose of the phone call with Mr. Hun Sen was only focused on protecting national sovereignty and ensuring the safety of Thai soldiers.
During the anniversary celebration of the Prime Minister's Office in Bangkok on July 2, Mr. Suriya refused to answer questions about his feelings about his short-lived leadership role.
Thailand's acting Prime Minister Suriya said his most urgent job now is to sign the papers to ensure a smooth transfer of power to his successor.
Before being suspended from her position as Prime Minister, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra submitted a new cabinet list for the Thai King's approval on June 29. The reshuffled cabinet was approved by the Thai King on the morning of July 1 and will be sworn in on July 3. According to the reshuffled cabinet list, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai will hold the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand and will act as acting Prime Minister.
Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party previously said Minister Phumtham was given the role of government leader because he had a higher title than Mr. Suriya after a cabinet reshuffle.
According to the South China Morning Post , Mr. Phumtham's duties are expected to be limited to overseeing day-to-day management while the court considers Ms. Paetongtarn 's case . The length of Mr. Phumtham's term will depend on the court's ruling.
Ms Paetongtarn, Mr Suriya and Mr Phumtham are all members of the Pheu Thai Party, which came second in the 2023 election and won the leadership of the Thai government through a coalition with other parties.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
