Paetongtarn Shinawatra has retained her place in Thailand’s new cabinet despite being suspended from the prime minister’s post. On Thursday morning, she was sworn in as the new Minister of Culture during a ceremony held at Government House in Bangkok.
According to Thai media outlet The Nation, Paetongtarn arrived at the venue at 9:07am local time and greeted reporters with a smile. Just two days earlier, on July 1, the Criminal Court had temporarily suspended her from the prime minister’s duties.
She was among 14 newly appointed ministers who took the oath of office, including Agriculture Minister Attakorn Sirilatthayakon, Deputy Education Minister Thewan Liptapanlop, and Deputy Health Ministers Chaichana Dechdecho and Anucha Sasomsap.
As part of the protocol, all ministers underwent RT-PCR tests at the Santi Maitree Building, collected official ID cards, and posed for official photos in white uniforms.
Following the ceremony, the ministers attended a special cabinet meeting, where they were briefed on the appointment of Phumtham Wechayachai as the acting prime minister. The cabinet is now led by Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
The reshuffle came within hours of Paetongtarn’s suspension, prompted by the withdrawal of the conservative Bhumjaithai Party from the ruling coalition. The government now depends on smaller parties for parliamentary majority, raising concerns about political stability and the ability to pass key legislation, including the national budget.
Paetongtarn’s popularity has recently declined following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen over border issues. Once a popular figure for her opposition to military-backed governments, she now has 15 days to respond to the allegations against her.
She is the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.