Although Thailand now has its 30th prime minister, the new government cannot yet start work as a Cabinet of Ministers has yet to be produced. The caretaker government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, thus continues to perform its duties for the time being. According to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the new Cabinet will likely start work in late September.
Wissanu explained that based on his experience, he expected at least 3 weeks to be required for the setting up of the new government. The list of Cabinet ministers will likely be produced within a week, with the Secretariat of the Cabinet taking the week after to go over the qualifications of potential Cabinet members. The third week would be spent on the process of presenting the list of Cabinet ministers to His Majesty the King and awaiting His Majesty’s endorsement, as well as on the Cabinet performing the oath-taking ceremony.
After these procedures are completed, the Cabinet must deliver its policies to the National Assembly within 15 days. According to Wissanu, the new Cabinet would likely commence work in late September if processes transpire in accordance with this timeframe.
Wissanu explained that these estimates were based on his experience and leaned toward a scenario of few delays being encountered. He said this timeframe meant that the caretaker Cabinet would be meeting every week for the time being, although it would be giving its consideration to fewer matters.
The deputy prime minister also addressed the matter of the permanent secretaries of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy, who are due to retire this year. He said the caretaker Cabinet will not be making appointments to replace the two positions and the deputy permanent secretaries at the two ministries will perform in the capacity of permanent secretary for the time being. (NNT)
