Thailand’s ruling alliance shifts as PM Paetongtarn finalizes cabinet

Two weeks to the day she was selected as Thailand’s new prime minister and amid reports about a bumpy transition, Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that her cabinet lineup was finally set, pending background checks. 

The new cabinet will not include the military-aligned Palang Pracharath Party, which was a partner in her Pheu Thai party’s ruling bloc under Srettha Thavisin, who was removed by a controversial court order on Aug. 14. Instead, it will include two ministers from the Democrat Party, a longtime foe of Pheu Thai.

“The cabinet is mostly settled. We’re just waiting for qualification checks,” Paetongtarn, who is also known by the nickname Ung Ing, told reporters during a visit to Sukhothai province.  

The Thai people could expect the government headed by her to take office soon, Paetongtarn said, adding that the king could formally appoint cabinet members within days. 

“It’s getting closer. Within a week, please be patient. I promise to be a prime minister for everyone. We’re here to serve the people.”

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On Aug. 16, parliament voted to elect Paetongtran, a scion of the politically powerful Shinawatra clan, as Thailand’s second female prime minister and its youngest-ever to replace Srettha, who was ousted two days earlier by a Constitutional Court Order. 

The judges voted 5-4 to remove Srettha, the first civilian to lead a Thai government after nine years of military rule, because the majority deemed he had committed a gross ethical violation by appointing a convicted criminal as a minister.

The cabinet selection for the new government headed by Ung Ing has become even more intriguing with Pheu Thai’s unexpected move to invite the Democrat Party, their long-standing political rival, to join the new cabinet.

It replaces Palang Pracharath, which was part of Srettha’s coalition government, and is led by Prawit Wongsuwon, a former army general and senior figure in the junta that ruled Thailand from 2014 to 2023. Pheu Thai officials have said Palang Pracharath was dropped because its leaders did not cooperate in efforts to form the new government.

Sorawong Thienthong, secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, confirmed that a formal invitation to the Democrat Party to join the cabinet had been submitted on Wednesday. 

“In the past, the political ideologies of Pheu Thai and the Democrat Party were completely different. But today, a new generation has come to manage the parties. The leaders of both parties, along with the secretaries and all party members, are moving in the same direction,” Sorawong told reporters. 

Political analysts said that the new government may have to confront challenges in many forms. 

“Paetongtarn’s cabinet will face political enemies from groups dissatisfied with Thaksin Shinawatra and Pheu Thai,” said Olarn Thinbangtieo, an associate professor at Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science and Law. 

“These previously scattered groups, united by their opposition to a new ‘Thaksin regime,’ might converge around Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan as a power center,” Olarn told BenarNews. 

Thaksin, Paetongtarn’s father, is a populist politician and divisive figure in Thai politics. He served as prime minister until he was forced from office by a 2006 military coup. After living in exile, he returned to Thailand last year when Pheu Thai regained control of the government after the general election and has been seen as a power broker for his daughter.

Prawit got into hot water lately over a video showing him slapping a female journalist.

In other expected moves, key Pheu Thai figures are expected to retain deputy prime minister positions, alongside representatives from Bhumjaithai Party and United Thai Nation Party.

In addition, Pheu Thai is likely to retain control of crucial ministries such as finance, defense, commerce and public health. Bhumjaithai is expected to keep the interior and education portfolios, while the United Thai Nation could oversee energy and industry. 

Conflicts among former coalition 

The exclusion of Palang Pracharath Party from the coalition has led to threats of legal action. 

Paiboon Nititawan, deputy leader of Palang Pracharath, accused Paetongtarn of breaking promises ahead of the vote on Srettha’s successor. 

“The prime minister publicly promised that she would have our party vote to approve her as prime minister, and in return, would give us cabinet seats proportional to our previous allocation,” Paiboon told reporters.  

“Having made such a complete promise and then not following through, wouldn’t reasonable people say that the prime minister clearly lacks honesty and integrity?” 

Also the announcement of the alliance between Pheu Thai and the Democrat Party has stirred controversy and caused dissatisfaction among some voters, given their tumultuous history. In 2010, the Democrat Party-led government ordered a crackdown on pro-democracy Red Shirt protesters, resulting in over 90 deaths. 

Later, in 2013, Democrat Party MPs organized protests to oust the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s sister and Paetongtarn’s aunt, which ultimately led to a military coup that forced her from office in 2014. Yingluck has been in self-imposed exile since 2017 after the government filed corruption charges against her.

“By bringing the Democrat Party and former People’s Democratic Reform Committee leaders into the coalition, Thaksin is essentially making his political enemies submit to him. In the long run, these individuals may lose political credibility. It’s likely that one of Thaksin’s goals is to expose the PDRC as a significant scam in modern Thai political history,” Olarn told BenarNews. 

Ung Ing ‘speaks our language’ 

The incoming government, meanwhile, faces potential legal challenges, including investigations by the Election Commission into Paetongtarn’s shareholdings and Thaksin’s alleged influence on Pheu Thai.

Historically, governments led by the Shinawatra family have faced significant opposition, including the military coups in 2006 and 2014. Olarn warns of other potential threats.

“A coup might be difficult, but there’s always a chance. A ‘judicial coup’ might be more likely and subtle, with special powers to support it,” he said. 

Thais have mixed views about the new government.  

“Paetongtarn speaks our language. But I’m worried because I know there are people who don’t like her. This society still has hate speech. I hope this will be an opportunity for society to learn to coexist with different opinions,” said writer Aiko Hamasaki, 32.

Meanwhile, business owner Sakrapi Wongyama, 34, shared his concerns. 

“The formation of Paetongtarn’s government has been criticized for potentially lacking the necessary experience and readiness to manage the country amidst challenging circumstances. The leadership may fail to effectively address the needs of the people, leading to political instability and uncertainty.” 

Jon Preechawong in Bangkok contributed to this report.