New Cabinet: Military runs the show with civilian support

As expected, top military figures dominate the new Prayuth 1 cabinet, but they will have support from prominent bureaucrats and technocrats.

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(Left to right) Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, Deputy Prime Minster Prawit Wongsuwon and Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda climbed through the ranks of the army together, from junior-level officer to commanders of the 2nd Infantry Division (Queen's Guard) based in the eastern province of Prachin Buri, widely known as the Burapha Payak (Tigers of the East) group.

Here is the Bangkok Post's morning story on the new cabinet written by two of our most senior reporters: Wassana Nanuam who covers the Thai military and Pradit Ruangdit, veteran political reporter who is also head of Thai Journalists Association.

Military, bureaucrats to run cabinet

Wassana Nanuam
Pradit Ruangdit

The Prayuth Chan-ocha cabinet, which came into effect yesterday, is dominated by military officers with the strong support of bureaucrats and technocrats.

Of 32 ministerial members taking up 34 positions, 11 of them are military officers who dominate core ministries such as Transport, Commerce, Interior, Education, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Justice.

However, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is aware that experienced hands may be needed in the economics portfolios, and is prepared to ask the military to step aside in these cases.

MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, a former deputy prime minister and former finance minister, will take on the role of deputy prime minister overseeing the economy.

Joining Gen Prawit as deputy prime ministers are Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, Yongyut Yuttawong, Wissanu Krea-Ngam

Meanwhile, Sommai Pasi, former deputy secretary-general for finance and former deputy finance minister in the Surayud Chulanont administration, will serve as finance minister, and Narongchai Akrasanee, a senior economist and former commerce minister as energy minister.

In several ministries where military officers take the helm, senior civil servants and technocrats are appointed as deputy ministers to help them.

Wuthisarn Tanchai, King Prajadhipok’s Institute deputy secretary-general, said deputies would be able to help ministers drawn from the military in the event they are stumped by an issue.

For example, ACM Prajin Juntong is appointed transport minister while Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, former secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, is deputy minister. “However, no matter who is minister, the direction of the cabinet will be controlled by the NCPO,” he said.

In the military ministerial area, some hold posts in the cabinet, the NCPO and the army, such as assistant army chief Gen Chatchai Sarikalya who is named commerce minister.

Gen Chatchai, who is deputy chief of the NCPO’s economic affairs, is expected to be made deputy army chief in the annual reshuffle.

It is believed some cabinet posts have been offered as rewards for officers expected to miss key posts in the upcoming military reshuffle.

Gen Prayuth is expected to take his cabinet ministers to attend a swearing-in ceremony before His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital tomorrow.

Some critics see the military-dominated cabinet as a step to consolidate the junta’s power. Half of the National Legislative Assembly, the country’s legislature, is made up of military officers and police or those who have close ties with the military.

During his weekly televised address on Friday night, Gen Prayuth said the security situation has not been fully settled so he needs his fellow officers whom he trusts to help him run the country. A source said Gen Prayuth prepared the Cabinet line-up on his own.

Former deputy prime minister and key Pheu Thai figure Pongthep Thepkanchana said the image of the new cabinet under Gen Prayuth was not as important as its policy. He urged Gen Prayuth to deliver a policy statement to the NLA so people will know where the country is heading next.

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