The Thai King has officially approved the new Cabinet under Anutin Charnvirakul, which features the appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra’s nephew as a deputy prime minister.

BANGKOK, March 31 — Thailand’s king has formally approved the new cabinet under second-term Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, with a nephew of jailed former leader Thaksin Shinawatra appointed as a deputy prime minister, according to the Royal Gazette.

Most cabinet roles are held by members of Anutin’s party, including six deputy prime minister posts. One of these went to Yodchanan Wongsawat, the leading candidate from Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party in last month’s general election.

Anutin’s Bhumjaithai party secured the largest share of parliamentary seats in the February 8 vote, placing it at the forefront of the ruling coalition. However, lacking a clear majority, it partnered with Pheu Thai, which finished third, led by tech billionaire Thaksin, who is currently serving a one-year jail sentence for corruption.

Yodchanan, a biomedical engineering professor, has also been appointed minister for higher education, science, research and innovation. Anutin will simultaneously serve as interior minister.

Bhumjaithai and its allies occupy 32 cabinet positions, including key economic and defence portfolios, with several ministers from Anutin’s previous short-lived administration returning to office.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will remain in his role, alongside the finance and commerce ministers — all three also holding deputy prime minister posts.

The justice and defence portfolios remain under figures aligned with the pro-military and pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai camp.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai has been allocated nine ministerial positions, covering areas such as agriculture, labour, education and social development.

The new government is expected to present its policy agenda to parliament next week, local media reported. — AFP