Thailand Political Crisis: Phumtham Appointed Acting PM Following Paetongtarn’s Suspension Amid Ethics Investigation

BANGKOK, July 3 — Thailand’s political landscape is in flux once again as the country prepares to swear in a new cabinet today, marking the third person to assume the prime minister’s duties within a single week.

The upheaval began Tuesday when the Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid an ongoing ethics investigation that could drag on for months.

In the immediate aftermath, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit briefly stepped in as acting prime minister, holding the role for just one full day during an awkward interim period ahead of the cabinet reshuffle.

With the swearing-in of the new cabinet, former Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will be appointed Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, a position that outranks Suriya’s—effectively making him the acting prime minister.

Despite her suspension, Paetongtarn had named herself Culture Minister in the upcoming cabinet, allowing her to maintain a presence in the country’s upper political ranks.

This leadership shake-up comes at a time when Thailand is grappling with economic recovery efforts and negotiating a critical trade deal with the United States, as it seeks to avoid a threatened 36 per cent tariff under Donald Trump’s potential return to office.

Phumtham, a long-time ally of both Paetongtarn and her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is seen as a loyal figure within the Shinawatra political dynasty, which has dominated Thai politics since the early 2000s. However, analysts note the family’s influence may be waning.

Nicknamed “Big Comrade” for his early involvement in a leftist student movement during the 1970s, Phumtham later transitioned into mainstream politics via Thaksin’s telecoms business. He has held several cabinet posts, including in the defence and commerce ministries, and previously stepped in as acting prime minister during a political crisis last year.

Paetongtarn’s suspension stems from a controversial diplomatic episode involving a territorial dispute with Cambodia that escalated into deadly border clashes in May. A leaked recording of her referring to Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen as “uncle” and calling a Thai military commander her “opponent” sparked intense backlash.

A key conservative party subsequently exited the ruling coalition, accusing Paetongtarn of undermining national interests and appeasing Cambodia — a move that prompted the current reshuffle.

The Constitutional Court ruled there was "sufficient cause to suspect" she had violated ministerial ethics in handling the matter. — AFP