BANGKOK – Panpree Bahiddha-Nukara, confirmed that he had sent a letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin requesting to resign from the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and every assigned position after he lost his Deputy Prime Minister post in today’s Cabinet reshuffle.
In his resignation letter, he stated to open the way for others to take over the position. He also gave the reason that he needed to remain faithful to his principles. After performing well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, he is certain that his efforts would have a significant impact on the country.
“I firmly denied that I am an under-performer.” Thailand is now back on the global radar screen. There are more countries that are friends. Foreign investors are becoming more interested in investing in Thailand. The visa exemption provided Thai citizens with greater convenience when visiting overseas. “The effort to repair relations with ASEAN, the EU, India, and major countries, both the US and the US, until negotiations can take place also helps ease global geopolitical tensions in Thailand,” the resignation letter stated.
Panpree also mentioned that Thai citizens living overseas are important to his works. He also personally secured the release of 23 Thai hostages held in Israel, as well as 8,000 Thai workers, and an additional 1,000 individuals in Laukkai incident in Myanmar.
Following the fighting in Myawaddy, PM Srettha recently appointed FM Panpree to chair the special inter-agency committee to manage the impacts of situations in Myanmar on Thailand.
After seven months of government administration, Prime Minister Srettha announced his first cabinet reshuffle on April 28. He changed 13 ministerial positions, the majority of whom are from his Pheu Thai Party.
Many critics asserted that Thaksin Shinawatra, who received a suspended prison sentence, influenced the Cabinet reshuffle. However, PM Srettha acknowledged that he made the decision.
Deputy PM Phumtham Wechayachai on Friday denies he and PM Srettha Thavisin met and and had lunch with Thaksin on April 25 at a hotel in Bangkok. Phumtham insists the lunch was just between he and Srettha and the decision about Cabinet reshuffle is up to the PM
The Royal Gazette stated on April 27, 2024 that after His Majesty the King graciously appointed Mr. Srettha Thavisin as Prime Minister on August 22, 2023, and appointed ministers to administer the kingdom on September 3, 2023, the Prime Minister has respectfully stated that it is appropriate to improve some ministerial positions for appropriateness and benefit to government administration.
Pichai Chunhavachai is Deputy PM and replaces Srettha Thavisin as Finance Minister. The PM appointed Phaopoom Rojanasakul as Deputy Finance Minister. Currently, the Finance Ministry has three Deputy Finance Ministers.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangrungruangkit will keep his post but also become a Deputy PM. The new Public Health Minister is Somsak Thepsuthin, replacing Cholnan Srikaew.
Three people, Chakrapong Saengmanee, Pichit Chuenban, and Jiraporn Sinthuprai are new PM Office Minister, replace Puangpetch Chun-la-iad.
There was a switch in positions between Sermsak Phongpanich, from Culture Minister to be new Tourism and Sports Minister, and Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol is now designated Culture Minister, even though she received a “Grade A” for the Songkran tourism from the PM.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Chaiya Promma will be replaced by Attakorn Siriratyakorn of Bhumjai Thai Party.
Another Deputy Agriculture Minister, Anucha Nakhasai, from Bhumjai Thai Party, is also removed.
Attakorn Siriratyakorn from Palang Pracharat Party is new Deputy Agriculture Minister along with Suchart Chomklin from United Thai Nation Party.
Defence Minister Suthin Klangsaeng retains his position, despite being notified in the reshuffle report that he would be replaced by the Prime Minister.
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