(Bangkok, 7th) Thailand’s new Prime Minister Anutin has not yet been sworn in, but immediately began forming his cabinet the day after his election, tapping three nonpartisan figures to head the crucial finance, foreign, and energy ministries.
According to the “Thairath” report, on Saturday (September 6), Anutin announced the three ministerial picks at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, naming former Revenue Department director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas as the expected Finance Minister, former Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow as the Foreign Minister nominee, and former CEO of the state-owned PTT (Petroleum Authority of Thailand) Auttapol Rerkpiboon as the nominee for Energy Minister.
Anutin stated that he selected them based on their capability, experience, and performance, and emphasized that, as time was short, these three appointments had already been decided and there was no need for further speculation.
Although Anutin has decided, the full list of these three and other cabinet members must still be submitted as per procedure and receive royal assent to take effect.
Fifty-eight-year-old Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin was elected as Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister last Friday (5th) at a special parliamentary session, defeating the Pheu Thai Party candidate Srettha Thavisin with 311 votes to 152. Because Bhumjaithai Party promised the opposition People’s Power Party it would dissolve parliament by the end of the year in exchange for their support, Anutin’s expected term as PM is only four months.
Anutin emphasized that his cabinet would begin work immediately after being sworn in. “As I’ve said, this is a government with a clear mission. We want people who can start immediately, don’t need to learn the ropes, so work can proceed smoothly and efficiently.”
Thai PBS quoted sources as saying that all three nominees have accepted Anutin’s appointments. Among them, veteran diplomat Sihasak, once formally in office as Foreign Minister, will have to tackle urgent challenges, including rebuilding trust between Bangkok and Phnom Penh after the Thai-Cambodia border clash, balancing Thailand’s relations with China and the United States, and maintaining ASEAN centrality.
Revitalizing the Thai economy is also one of Anutin’s top priorities. Sihasak, Auttapol, and Ekniti all visited Bhumjaithai Party HQ on Saturday to meet Anutin and began discussing government policies, including economic stimulus measures. Also present was Deputy Party Leader of Palang Pracharath Party, Santi Promphat, who is expected to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister.
All of them have been selected as ministers by Anutin. After discussing cabinet formation with the party’s executive committee, Anutin met with the team that day, drinking coffee and eating cake together.
Anutin stressed that the new cabinet will be built on professionalism, cooperation, and efficiency, with no delays caused by party interests. He also said that since the government will only serve four months, all measures will be implemented as quickly as possible to drive national development and solve issues to the greatest extent.
According to a list obtained by Thai media, Anutin will also serve as Minister of Interior. Other coalition allies supporting Anutin—including the Brave Moral Party, formerly a member of the Pheu Thai-led government, as well as Pheu Thai MPs who supported Anutin in the PM vote—will also receive ministerial posts, but the exact number and positions are still being negotiated.
On the day the new PM was elected in parliament, the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand published the assets declarations of multiple politicians. Among them, Anutin declared personal assets totaling 4.372 billion baht (about 575 million Malaysian ringgit), including 1.185 billion baht in deposits, 721 million baht investments, as well as 13 plots of land, residences, commercial buildings, and cars.
Anutin was selected as new prime minister after the Constitutional Court removed the original Pheu Thai PM Paetongtarn from office. Paetongtarn, who is also the Pheu Thai Party leader, posted on social media on Saturday saying that Pheu Thai will spare no effort in fulfilling its duties as the opposition and in overseeing the new government’s governance.
According to the “Thairath” report, on Saturday (September 6), Anutin announced the three ministerial picks at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, naming former Revenue Department director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas as the expected Finance Minister, former Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow as the Foreign Minister nominee, and former CEO of the state-owned PTT (Petroleum Authority of Thailand) Auttapol Rerkpiboon as the nominee for Energy Minister.
Anutin stated that he selected them based on their capability, experience, and performance, and emphasized that, as time was short, these three appointments had already been decided and there was no need for further speculation.
Although Anutin has decided, the full list of these three and other cabinet members must still be submitted as per procedure and receive royal assent to take effect.
Fifty-eight-year-old Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin was elected as Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister last Friday (5th) at a special parliamentary session, defeating the Pheu Thai Party candidate Srettha Thavisin with 311 votes to 152. Because Bhumjaithai Party promised the opposition People’s Power Party it would dissolve parliament by the end of the year in exchange for their support, Anutin’s expected term as PM is only four months.
Anutin emphasized that his cabinet would begin work immediately after being sworn in. “As I’ve said, this is a government with a clear mission. We want people who can start immediately, don’t need to learn the ropes, so work can proceed smoothly and efficiently.”
Thai PBS quoted sources as saying that all three nominees have accepted Anutin’s appointments. Among them, veteran diplomat Sihasak, once formally in office as Foreign Minister, will have to tackle urgent challenges, including rebuilding trust between Bangkok and Phnom Penh after the Thai-Cambodia border clash, balancing Thailand’s relations with China and the United States, and maintaining ASEAN centrality.
Revitalizing the Thai economy is also one of Anutin’s top priorities. Sihasak, Auttapol, and Ekniti all visited Bhumjaithai Party HQ on Saturday to meet Anutin and began discussing government policies, including economic stimulus measures. Also present was Deputy Party Leader of Palang Pracharath Party, Santi Promphat, who is expected to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister.
All of them have been selected as ministers by Anutin. After discussing cabinet formation with the party’s executive committee, Anutin met with the team that day, drinking coffee and eating cake together.
Anutin stressed that the new cabinet will be built on professionalism, cooperation, and efficiency, with no delays caused by party interests. He also said that since the government will only serve four months, all measures will be implemented as quickly as possible to drive national development and solve issues to the greatest extent.
According to a list obtained by Thai media, Anutin will also serve as Minister of Interior. Other coalition allies supporting Anutin—including the Brave Moral Party, formerly a member of the Pheu Thai-led government, as well as Pheu Thai MPs who supported Anutin in the PM vote—will also receive ministerial posts, but the exact number and positions are still being negotiated.
On the day the new PM was elected in parliament, the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand published the assets declarations of multiple politicians. Among them, Anutin declared personal assets totaling 4.372 billion baht (about 575 million Malaysian ringgit), including 1.185 billion baht in deposits, 721 million baht investments, as well as 13 plots of land, residences, commercial buildings, and cars.
Anutin was selected as new prime minister after the Constitutional Court removed the original Pheu Thai PM Paetongtarn from office. Paetongtarn, who is also the Pheu Thai Party leader, posted on social media on Saturday saying that Pheu Thai will spare no effort in fulfilling its duties as the opposition and in overseeing the new government’s governance.