This comes a day after Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the prime minister of Thailand, was suspended due to a phone call leak complaint.
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation, will now serve as the country’s acting prime minister for just one day, on Wednesday.
Paetongtarn was suspended because it was alleged that she had violated constitutional conduct by criticising the military and seeming to back Cambodia in a border dispute during the phone call. She’s been given 15 days to submit her response to the allegations.
According to a Bloomberg report, Deputy PM Suriya is currently leading a precarious coalition administration.
Prime Minister for a Day
Following Paetongtarn’s suspension, Suriya Jungrungreangkit will take over as acting prime minister for a single full day. On Thursday, when a cabinet reorganisation that was prearranged prior to the court’s decision goes into force, he is anticipated to resign.
Suriya attended a ceremony commemorating the Prime Minister’s Office’s 93rd anniversary in Bangkok to start his brief reign. He will be in charge of this ancient institution for less than ninety-three hours, which is ironic.
The Suspension of Paetongtarn
The Constitutional Court declared on Tuesday that Paetongtarn had violated ministerial ethics during a recent diplomatic dispute with Cambodia, citing “sufficient reason to suspect”. She was consequently placed on leave while an inquiry was conducted, which might take several months.
Paetongtarn, who is only 38 years old, is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the heir to the most powerful political family in Thailand. Since the early 2000s, her family and their party have been embroiled in a protracted power battle with the nation’s conservative establishment.
It was only in August of last year that Paetongtarn became prime minister. Suriya, 70, a seasoned politician who is referred to in Thai media as a “political weather vane” for his propensity to support the current government, took over immediately after her suspension.
A Cabinet Reshuffle Is Coming
Due to a cabinet change that was planned prior to Tuesday’s political bombshell, Suriya’s tenure as acting prime minister will come to an abrupt end.
The incoming interior minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, will become acting prime minister after the oath-taking ceremony on Thursday.
Phumtham will take over because he will be appointed Deputy Prime Minister, placing him above Suriya in the official line of succession, the ruling Pheu Thai Party said in a statement late Tuesday.