New Finance Minister after Cabinet reshuffle
Former energy executive Pichai Chunhavajira was named finance minister last Sunday (Apr 28) as part of the Cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Pichai took over as finance minister from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who held both positions previously, and immediately vowed to revive the country’s battered economy by tackling factors hindering economic stimulation efforts, including high interest rates.
Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of Thai Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the appointment of Mr Pichai, saying the appointment came at the right time. Mr Pichai, 76, will help the prime minister oversee the disbursement of the 2024 budget which is due to begin next month and needs to be accelerated for the sake of economic stimulation and tourism promotion.
“Mr Pichai has a proven track record in finance and economics and he understands the private sector’s needs, which now makes him the sector’s new hope to see improvement in the country’s economic situation,” said Mr Sanan.
In addition to his business sector connections and experience Mr Pichai is also known to have a close alignment with the ruling political camp.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree BahiddhaNukara resigned from his Cabinet post after the reshuffle saw him lose his seat as deputy prime minister.
Mr Parnpree had served as a deputy prime minister and the foreign minister but was assigned only the foreign affairs portfolio in the new line-up.
He explained that holding just the foreign ministerial post could hinder his work in international affairs and that there were other qualified candidates to assume the role.
Asked if he would continue working with the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Mr Parnpree said he would decide on his political career in due course.
Four Cabinet ministers have lost their jobs in the shake-up: Public Health MinTHAILAND ister Cholnan Srikaew; Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chaiya Promma; Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad; and Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Anucha Nakasai.
A controversial appointment was that of Pichit Chuenban, an adviser to the prime minister and Thaksin Sinawatra’s former lawyer, as a new Prime Minister’s Office Minister.
Democrat Party spokesman Rames Rattanachaweng said the move was problematic, explaining Mr Pichit could be deemed unfit to be appointed to the Cabinet under Section 160 of the constitution which stipulates moral and ethical standards of a Cabinet minister.
Mr Pichit was sentenced by the Supreme Court to six months in prison for contempt of court for offering a sealed box containing about B2 million in cash to a senior administrative officer of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in 2008.