Thailand’s Leadership in Flux as King Swears in New Cabinet Amid Political Turmoil

Thailand’s political landscape saw yet another dramatic shift Thursday, as King Maha Vajiralongkorn swore in a new cabinet during a reshuffle that marks the country’s third prime ministerial appointment in just one week.

The upheaval began Tuesday when Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended by the Constitutional Court over an ethics probe tied to a diplomatic controversy with Cambodia—a process that could take months to resolve.

In the immediate aftermath, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit briefly assumed the top role but served for just one full day. His tenure was cut short by the appointment of former defense minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who, upon being named interior minister and elevated to deputy prime minister, now outranks Suriya and serves as acting prime minister.

Despite her suspension, Paetongtarn remains in the cabinet as culture minister—a position she had assigned to herself—preserving her presence in the core of government.

On Thursday morning, she joined fellow ministers for a group photo at Government House before heading to the Grand Palace for a private oath-taking ceremony with the king. The newly appointed cabinet is expected to hold its first meeting later in the day, followed by a royal announcement in the evening.

The rapid leadership turnover comes as Thailand grapples with a sputtering economy and the urgent need to secure a U.S. trade deal, amid threats from former President Donald Trump to impose a 36% tariff.

Phumtham, 71, a longtime ally of both Paetongtarn and her father, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is widely seen as a loyal figure within the Shinawatra political camp. Once part of a radical student movement in the 1970s—earning him the nickname “Big Comrade”—he entered politics through Thaksin’s telecom empire and has since held various key cabinet roles.

The Shinawatra family’s political influence, dominant in Thai politics for over two decades, appears to be waning amid growing friction with the conservative and military-aligned establishment.

Paetongtarn’s recent troubles stem from a leaked recording of a diplomatic call in which she reportedly referred to Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen as “uncle” and described a Thai military commander as her “opponent.” The backlash prompted a key conservative party to exit the ruling coalition, triggering the reshuffle.

The Constitutional Court cited “sufficient cause to suspect” that Paetongtarn had violated ministerial ethics, a charge that could potentially end her political career if upheld.