Phumtham Wechayachai Expected To Lead Caretaker Gov't As Talks On Next PM Are Set To Begin

Pheu Thai Party (PTP) Secretary General Sorawong Thienthong is quoted as saying that the party will hold consultations with coalition partners on the next Prime Minister and will explore the possibility of re-nominating Srettha Thavisin for the position.

• Following Srettha's ouster by the Constitutional Court, his cabinet has been dissolved and ministers will serve in caretaker capacity under temporary leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai until the election of a new PM.
• Srettha commented that the ruling will affect key policy initiatives, such as the digital wallet scheme, the Land Bridge initiative and other projects. He added that that he fully respects the verdict.
• The BoT has been sceptical of the proposed cash handouts, repeatedly calling on the government to tighten eligibility criteria. Meanwhile, PM Srettha and his administration kept pushing for lower interest rates.
• Political analyst Ken Mathis Lohatepanont suggests that PTP's Paethongtharn Shinawatra ("if she wants it") and Bhumjaithai's Anutin Charnvirakul are the most likely successors to Srettha.
• The analyst adds that "few are predicting a dissolution of parliament anytime soon, given that Move Forward’s successor People’s Party would be tipped to do well in fresh elections," while the balance of power in the ruling coalition government is shifting "towards those previously aligned with the military government."