KUALA LUMPUR – Thailand has appointed its third acting prime minister in a week, with Phumtham Wechayachai taking over today amid a cabinet reshuffle triggered by mounting legal and political pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The reshuffle, formalised at a royal swearing-in ceremony this morning, comes after the Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Paetongtarn from duty pending an ethics probe – forcing a scramble to fill top government positions, local media reported.
Following her suspension, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit briefly served as caretaker prime minister. But his role was overtaken today after Phumtham was sworn in as deputy prime minister and interior minister – portfolios that outrank Suriya in the cabinet hierarchy, making him acting PM.
This is Phumtham’s second time serving in the post. The 71-year-old Pheu Thai veteran, a close ally of Thaksin Shinawatra, previously stepped in during a cabinet crisis last year. A former defence and commerce minister, he is viewed as a steady party figure and longtime lieutenant of the Shinawatra political dynasty.
The latest reshuffle sees Paetongtarn retaining a seat in cabinet as culture minister – a post she had assigned herself prior to the court’s decision.
Her suspension follows a petition by 36 senators accusing her of breaching ministerial ethics over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.
In the call, she reportedly referred to Hun Sen as “uncle” and a Thai military commander as her “opponent” – remarks that sparked accusations of disloyalty, particularly amid heightened tensions over a territorial dispute that escalated into deadly clashes in May.
The controversy led one conservative coalition partner to withdraw support, adding to instability and prompting the reshuffle. The Constitutional Court said there was “sufficient cause to suspect” a breach of ethics, and suspended Paetongtarn while the case proceeds – a process expected to take months.
Adding to the family’s legal woes, Thaksin appeared in court the same day to face royal defamation charges, which carry up to 15 years in jail if convicted. – July 3, 2025