The much-awaited cabinet reshuffle involving over 18 positions has been announced with substantial changes made to the economic team.
The new line-up endorsed by His Majesty the King and published in the Royal Gazette yesterday evening features 10 newcomers including Pailin Chuchottaworn, former president of PTT Plc.
Under the changes:
Agriculture Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya will now serve as deputy prime minister instead
Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana has changed his role to serve as a PM's office minister
Kobsak Pootrakool, a vice minister at the Office of the Prime Minister, will now also serve as a PM's office minister
Gen Chanchai Changmongkol was named the new deputy defence minister
Weerasak Kowsurat, a former tourism and sports minister during the Banharn Silpa-archa administration, was appointed tourism and sports minister
Energy Minister Gen Anantaporn Kanjanarat was transferred to become the social development and human security minister
Grisada Boonrach, former interior permanent secretary, was appointed the agriculture and cooperatives minister
Luck Wajananawat, an academic, was appointed deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister
Wiwat Salyakamthorn was named the new deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister
Pailin Chuchottaworn is the new deputy transport minister
Siri Jirapongphan, a former executive director at the Petroleum Institute of Thailand, was appointed energy minister
Deputy Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong was shifted to the role of commerce minister
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chutima Bunyapraphasara has become deputy commerce minister
Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong will now also serve as justice minister
Social Development and Human Security Ministry Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo was transferred to become the new labour minister
Suvit Maesincee was removed as a PM's office minister to serve as the new science and technology minister
Udom Kachintorn, a former president of Mahidol University, was appointed deputy education minister
Somchai Harnhirun, former permanent secretary of industry, was appointed deputy industry minister.
Among those who lost their posts in the reshuffle are ex-deputy prime ministers Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn and Adm Narong Pipatanasai, former PM's Office Minister Ormsin Chivapruck, ex-deputy defence minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, and former tourism and sports minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.
The following also no longer retain these titles: deputy transport minister Pichit Akrathit, commerce minister Apiradi Tantraporn, science and technology minister Atchaka Sibunruang and deputy education minister ML Panadda Diskul.
Economic issues were pivotal in the reshuffle as the regime responded to public discontent over bread-and-butter problems, pundits said citing recent opinion polls.
Politicians also called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to inject fresh blood into his economic teams to tackle some of the most pressing concerns the public is facing, including falling farm product prices.
Poj Aramwattananont, vice chairman of the board of trade, described the reshuffle as "practical".
National Human Rights Commission member Angkhana Neelapaijit said Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo performed well as social development minister in helping victims of human trafficking and could be considered the right man to deal with migrant worker issues at the Labour Ministry.
Tida Tawornseth, leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, said the reshuffle showed the regime's desire to cling to power after the general election.
