Thaksin stalwart Phumtham gets Thai caretaker PM role

RTHK

a day ago

Thaksin stalwart Phumtham gets Thai caretaker PM role
Phumtham Wechayachai earned the nickname "Big Comrade" for his association with a left-wing youth movement of the 1970s, but transitioned to politics through a role in Thaksin Shinawatra's telecoms empire. File photo: Reuters
Thailand's deputy premier Phumtham Wechayachai was confirmed on Thursday as the new caretaker prime minister, a government statement said.
Phumtham, 71, is a veteran Pheu Thai Party politician who has long worked with the influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the driving force in the current government.
Phumtham took the role following a court's order of suspension from duty this week of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter.
Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Paetongtarn from her duties after accepting a petition from 36 senators who accused her of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards following a leaked phone conversation between her and Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen.
Power passed to transport minister and deputy prime minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who took office for only one full day.
Phumtham is considered a loyal lieutenant to both Thaksin and Paetongtarn.
Leaders of the five opposition parties – including the Bhumjaithai Party which left the government coalition last month – met ahead of the reconvening of parliament on Thursday, vowing to work together to put pressure on the government.
But they also said they will hold off on launching a no-confidence vote against Paetongtarn, who remains in cabinet by virtue of having assigned herself the role of culture minister in the new cabinet.
"We must wait for clarity on the case being considered by the Constitutional Court involving Paetongtarn before deciding when to submit a no-confidence motion," said opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut.
Natthaphong, who heads the People's Party, also said opposition parties will work together to ensure that there is no political deadlock, even if Paetongtarn is dismissed by the court.
Phumtham earned the nickname "Big Comrade" for his association with a left-wing youth movement of the 1970s, but transitioned to politics through a role in Thaksin's telecoms empire.
In previous cabinets he held the defence and commerce portfolios, and spent a spell as acting prime minister after a crisis engulfed the top office last year.
A total of 14 new cabinet ministers were sworn in to duty by King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Thursday. (Agencies)