The new Thai cabinet unveiled
7 September 2023
On September 2, 2023, the Royal Gazette confirmed that His Majesty the King has approved and sworn in the new cabinet led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Below is an overview of the main positions and their respective office holders:
- First: Srettha Thavisin, also Minister of Finance.
- Deputy Prime Ministers: Somsak Thepsuthin, Piraapan Salirathavibhaga, Pol. General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Anutin Charnvirakul, Phumtham Wechayachai and Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara.
- Minister of Energy: Piraapan Salirathavibhaga.
- Minister of Natural Resources and Environment: Pol. Gene. Patcharawat Wongsuwan.
- Minister of Internal Affairs: Anutin Charnvirakul.
- State Secretaries of the Interior: Songsak Thongsri, Chada Thaid and Kriang Kaltinan.
- Minister of Commerce: Phumtham Wechayachai.
- Secretary of State for Commerce: Napintorn Srisunpang.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs: Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara.
- State Secretary for Foreign Affairs: Jakkapong Sangmanee.
- Cabinet Minister: Puangpetch Chunlaiad.
- Minister of Health: Cholnan Srikaew.
- Deputy Minister of Health: Santi Promphat.
- Minister of Education: Pol. Gene. Permpoon Chidchob.
- State Secretary for Education: Surasak Phancharoenworakul.
- Minister of Defence: Sutin Klungsang.
- Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation: Supamas Isarabhakdi.
- Minister of justice: Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong.
- Minister of Transport: Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
- State Secretaries of Transport: Surapong Piyachote and Manaporn Charoensri.
- Minister of Labor: Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
- Minister of Agriculture: Thammanat Prompao.
- State Secretaries of Agriculture: Anucha Nakasai and Chaiya Promma.
- Minister of Culture: Sermsak Pongpanich.
- Minister of Digital Economy and Society: Prasert Jantararuangtong.
- Minister of Tourism and Sports: Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol.
- Minister of Industry: Pimpatra Wichaikul.
- Minister of Social Development and Human Security: Varawut Silpa-archa.
- State Secretaries of Finance: Julapun Amornvivat and Krisana Jinavijarana.
The new team embodies a combination of experienced politicians and newcomers, who will work together to tackle the challenges facing Thailand.
Source: PR Thai Government
Does anyone know which of these people are soldiers and who are not?
In Thailand they still use the military or police rank for the minister in question, and when I look at the Thai Wikipedia I see:
– Police General 1st Class Patcharawat Wongsuwan (พัชรวาทวงษ์สุวรรณ). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Nature & Environment
– Captain 1st Class Thammanat Phromphao (ธรรมนัส พรหมเผ่า). Minister of Agriculture
– Police Colonel 1st Class Thawee Sodsong (ทวีสอดส่อง). Minister of justice.
– Police General 1st Class Permpoon Chidchob (เพิ่มพูนชิดชอบ). Minister of Education.
Source: wiki page “คณะรัฐมนตรีไทยคณะที่ 63”
As you can see there are three former cops and one former soldier, the latter with a conviction for drug smuggling in Australia but that's not a problem (a conviction in a Thai court would be).
Perhaps their financial assets (and those of their partners) and the network of people they know well says more about the ministers of this cabinet...
Ministers must disclose their financial situation upon their appointment and upon their departure. Look at that later. In the previous cabinet, almost all were very wealthy figures.