At least 15 cabinet ministers and 60 National Legislative Assembly (NLA) members including ex-permanent secretary for defence Preecha Chan-o-cha, the younger brother of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, have resigned from their posts so they can be appointed senators.
Gen Preecha confirmed yesterday he had been chosen to be a senator, saying he had already tendered his resignation as a member of the NLA.
Gen Prayut said out of 36 ministers, four resigned earlier and another 15 stepped down yesterday, leaving 17 remaining ministers.
Eleven of 15 members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will continue to work despite the other four having resigned, he said.
Asked whether the resignation of 15 cabinet members would have a bearing on the government's work, Gen Prayut said deputy premiers would be responsible for running the ministries with vacancies at the top.
"Regardless of the remaining number of ministers, the government and remaining ministers are still able to carry out administrative work," said Gen Prayut.
Responding to concerns that senators could act as proxies for the NCPO, Gen Prayut said: "Please don't see the senators as the enemy."
He said individuals who have worked with the administration for the past five years thoroughly understand the tasks at hand and are best-suited to serve as senators.
"The senators are working mainly on legislative tasks. Please look at them in a constructive way," the prime minister said.
Amid reports that the names of the senators would be submitted to the King for royal endorsement on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said their resignations must be approved by tomorrow if they are to be eligible for endorsement as senators.
After the ministers resign, there is no need to appoint the new ones, Mr Wissanu said, adding other ministers or deputy premiers could fill in as acting ministers.
This practice was applied after four ministers resigned and became leaders of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).
ACM Prajin Juntong, who serves as deputy prime minister and justice minister, confirmed he had resigned from the cabinet to clear the way to be a senator. He said his resignation could take effect today.
Deputy Education Minister Udom Kachintorn said Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak would also serve as acting minister of the newly established Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said he had also resigned from his post to become a senator.
