Thailand’s King endorses new Cabinet months after elections

BANGKOK - Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed a new Cabinet, including real estate tycoon

Srettha Thavisin as the country’s new prime minister

and finance minister, according to a royal gazette published on Saturday, months after the May election.

Thailand’s economy has been faltering due to weaker exports and investments, with the central bank saying in August that the full-year forecast for 3.6 per cent growth could be lowered.

Reviving Thailand’s economy will be one of the biggest tasks for Mr Srettha, who became the prime minister following prolonged uncertainty after a May election.

Mr Srettha's Pheu Thai Party,

backed by the billionaire Shinawatra family,

will oversee the defence, transport, commerce, health and foreign ministry portfolios.

Thailand has had a caretaker government since March, and the

Move Forward Party, winners of the May election,

struggled to form a government without support from conservative lawmakers over its progressive agenda.

The second-place

Pheu Thai broke off an alliance with Move Forward

and brought on rival parties aligned with army generals that ousted Shinawatra-linked parties in the 2006 and 2014 coups.

The announcement of the new Cabinet comes weeks after Mr Srettha, former president of luxury property developer Sansiri, won a parliamentary vote in August to become prime minister.

On the day of the vote, Pheu Thai figurehead

Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand

in a dramatic homecoming after living abroad for 15 years in self-exile to avoid an eight-year prison sentence.

On his first night back, he was

transferred to a police hospital

over chest pains and high blood pressure. He later submitted a request for a royal pardon.

On Friday, the king commuted the sentence to one year, citing his loyalty to the monarchy and his poor health.

Mr Srettha's rapid ascent to power, Thaksin's smooth return and a coalition between Pheu Thai and former rivals fuelled speculation about an agreement between Thaksin and his foes among the country's powerful conservative and royalist army.

Thaksin and Pheu Thai say that is not the case.

The new Cabinet has Pheu Thai controlling ministries overseeing the economy, which will be crucial in implementing its policies, including a 10,000 baht (S$386) handout in the form of digital currency.

Its largest coalition partner, Bhumjaithai, best known for advocating the use of medical cannabis, will oversee the education, interior and labour ministries.

Conservative and pro-military parties will lead the energy and environment ministries.

Mr Srettha and his Cabinet of 33 ministers will swear an oath before an audience with the king, then deliver a policy statement at Parliament before they start work in September.

Mr Srettha said the first Cabinet meeting would tackle cost-of-living problems by reducing electricity and gas prices, and relaxing visa entry rules for Chinese arrivals to boost tourism. REUTERS