News
Thailand's defence minister post left vacant in cabinet lineup by suspended PM Paetongtarn
It has been speculated that the seat will be kept for a former chief of defence forces.
The defence minister seat has been left vacant in the new cabinet lineup of now-suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ahead of a royal oath-swearing ceremony on Jul. 3.
Although this leaves former Defence Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister) Phumtham Wechayachai with no confirmed successor, both the Bangkok Post and The Nation have observed speculation that the seat is being reserved for Chalermpol Srisawat, a former senator and chief of defence forces.
Chalermpol is only eligible to take up a Cabinet post after Sep. 30, 2025, two years after his term in the senate ended.
However, reports in late June also speculated that the post could be kept open for Sunai Praphuchanay, a former Special Warfare chief with close ties to the Thai military leadership.
Paetongtarn declined to answer when asked if the seat is kept for Chalermpol, according to Thai Enquirer.
Asked whether leaving the post empty was an intentional choice to prevent upsetting the Thai armed forces amid border disputes with Cambodia, she also declined to comment.
“There will be no vacuum”
Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit has said that the Cabinet had informed him that, under the Ministry of Defence Organisation Act, he could serve as the acting defence minister.
“I have served as acting defence minister since Tuesday (Jul. 1). There will be no vacuum at the Defence Ministry,” Natthapon said, as quoted by The Nation.
He added that efforts to resolve the Thai-Cambodian border dispute will not be affected as the National Security Council has decided to delegate the responsibility to a special operation centre dedicated to managing the dispute (SOC-TCBSM).
Natthapon also noted that the border situation has improved, though he could not share additional details as the two nations were “still in the negotiation phase”.
“I want to reassure the public that security affairs are not being neglected. All work is continuing.”
Royal oath-taking on Jul. 3
Following Paetongtarn’s suspension from her role as Prime Minister, Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has been serving as the interim premier.
However, he will only hold the position for fewer than 93 hours before another cabinet reshuffle scheduled for Jul. 3, which will see incoming Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai taking over.
It will mark the first time in Thai history that a Prime Minister is suspended while a new Cabinet takes the oath of office.
Related stories
Top images via Ing Shinawatra/Facebook & Wikimedia Commons
