On the 1st, Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn from her duties as Prime Minister, resulting in increasing pressure on the Pheu Thai-led coalition government.
Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin, is facing legal troubles. On the 1st, he appeared in court to face charges of lèse-majesté. Under heavy pressures, the Thaksin family’s political fate has become increasingly unpredictable.
Assistant Professor Wanwitch of Political Science at Rangsit University said Paetongtarn’s political future may very well end within two months.
He said, “The Thaksin family has no way forward in politics, and Thai society is now seeing the light.”
Acting Prime Minister Expected to Serve Far Less Than 93 Hours
After Paetongtarn’s suspension, current Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will temporarily assume the Prime Minister’s duties.
However, the 70-year-old Suriya Juangroongruangkit will oversee state affairs for only one day and will be replaced after the new cabinet is sworn in.
According to the Bangkok Post, Suriya Juangroongruangkit's time in office is expected to be far less than 93 hours.
Since the King had already approved the cabinet reshuffle before the Constitutional Court’s decision, and the new cabinet will be sworn in on the 3rd, this means Suriya Juangroongruangkit’s tenure as acting Prime Minister will be shortened.
It is pointed out that after the swearing-in ceremony on the 3rd, the position of acting Prime Minister will be taken over by Phutarn, who will become the new Interior Minister and was already serving as Deputy Prime Minister before the reshuffle.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party stated on the evening of the 1st that Phutarn will succeed the role following the reshuffle, as his new post will grant him a higher deputy prime minister rank than Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
During a brief ceremony open to the media, Suriya Juangroongruangkit refused to answer questions regarding his views on his short-lived leadership.
He said the most urgent task was to “sign a document” to ensure a smooth transition to his successor on the 3rd.
Although Paetongtarn, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, and Phutarn are all from the Pheu Thai Party, the uncertainty facing the ruling coalition has affected Thailand’s political stability and the government’s efforts to promote economic growth.
The People’s Party Will Push for a New Election
Meanwhile, the opposition Move Forward Party will hold a meeting on the 3rd to discuss whether to file a no-confidence motion against Paetongtarn. The party called for the dissolution of parliament after the Constitutional Court’s announcement.
Party leader Nataphol said the public needs a stable, focused, legitimate, and trustworthy government, emphasizing that if the government refuses to dissolve the House of Representatives, the Move Forward Party will use all legal means to push for a new election.
As the court accepted a petition to investigate whether Paetongtarn had engaged in unconstitutional behavior, Paetongtarn must submit a written defense to the court within 15 days. Paetongtarn will still serve as Culture Minister in the new cabinet.
Paetongtarn has denied that this move is intended to continue to lead government affairs from within the cabinet during the period when her Prime Ministership is suspended.