Thai minister Phumtham set to become acting PM after predecessor’s one-day stint

He will step in following Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s suspension by the Constitutional Court over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen

Phumtham Wechayachai is poised to take over as Thailand’s acting prime minister, as the Pheu Thai-led government grapples with deepening political uncertainty following the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

He will replace Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who held the position for just one day.

Phumtham’s assumption of the role hinges on his formal swearing-in as interior minister, scheduled for Thursday, following a royal decree approving a cabinet reshuffle. His promotion is widely seen as a strategic move by the ruling coalition to ensure leadership continuity and demonstrate stability amid growing political pressure.

The 71-year-old political veteran is a pillar of the Pheu Thai Party and is widely regarded as a trusted confidant of the Shinawatra family. He previously held several senior cabinet positions, including commerce minister and defence minister, and served as acting prime minister for three days last year following the Constitutional Court’s removal of then-prime minister Srettha Thavisin.

Phumtham’s new role as interior minister in the ministerial shake-up places him higher in the cabinet hierarchy than Suriya, as outlined by Thailand’s constitutional line of succession, which prioritises ministers based on the seniority of their portfolios.

Paetongtarn, daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was suspended by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday while it investigates a complaint alleging that she breached ethical standards. The case centres on a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, during which she reportedly referred to a top Thai general as “an opponent” and Hun Sen as “uncle”. Critics say the remarks were inappropriate and damaging to national security.

While the Constitutional Court has yet to decide on Paetongtarn’s potential removal, the scandal has dealt a serious blow to Pheu Thai’s hold on power. The Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the coalition on June 18, prompting the resignation of eight ministers and leaving the government with a slim majority. The opposition has seized on the turmoil to question the administration’s legitimacy and leadership.

Amid the political turbulence, Phumtham has sought to convey confidence. On June 23, as the cabinet reshuffle was still under discussion, he told reporters: “I’m 100 per cent confident that we will move ahead strongly after the cabinet reshuffle is completed this week. You will see a new way of working that’s different from before.”

Phumtham has also taken the initiative in managing border tensions with Cambodia, denouncing what he described as an “information war” driven by external commentators. On June 14, ahead of a bilateral border meeting, he said: “There has been criticism from individuals not directly involved in the negotiations, which only worsens misunderstandings.”

For now, Phumtham’s mandate is expected to be limited to overseeing day-to-day governance while the court deliberates Paetongtarn’s case. The duration of his tenure, whether it will be a short caretaker role or evolve into a longer-term leadership position, will depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings and the political dynamics within the ruling coalition.

The next two weeks will be critical for Paetongtarn, who must respond to the court’s inquiry by mid-July. Meanwhile, opposition parties are preparing a no-confidence motion and protests in Bangkok continue to call for her resignation. The court’s ruling, combined with potential parliamentary action and street pressure, could determine the government’s survival.