Thailand’s King, Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s new cabinet, with 12 new faces in the 36-member lineup of her coalition government according to a report by the Royal Gazette on Wednesday.
Paetongtarn had been elected by the parliament in August to become Thailand’s youngest premier after the surprising court removal of the predecessor, Srettha Thavisin.
The Her Pheu Thai Party, which has led governments since 2001 still remains the dominant force in the new cabinet, while still retaining veterans, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
Pheu Thai is the populist party of the billionaire Shinawatra family and they occupy 17 of the cabinet positions, which include ministers and deputy ministers. The remaining 19 positions are divided among coalition partners.
Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of the controversial ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is still widely thought to be wielding power behind the scenes.
She is also the second woman and fourth family member to hold the top post, with the other three removed by coups or court decisions.
Pheu Thai will be in charge of the transport, health, tourism and culture ministries, while the Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest in the alliance, got eight cabinet seats, including the ministries of the interior, education and labour.
