Thai king backs new cabinet of Prime Minister Paetongtarn By Reuters

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has backed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s new cabinet, the Royal Gazette showed on Wednesday, with 12 new faces in the 36-member list.

Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party, which along with its previous incarnations has led several governments since 2001, dominates the new cabinet and has retained current Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, the journal said.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai takes over the defense portfolio and has been replaced as Trade Minister by Pheu Thai’s top adviser and former Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan.

Pheu Thai holds 17 of the cabinet posts, which include ministers and deputy ministers, with the remaining 19 posts shared between its coalition partners.

Paetongtarn, 38, was elected by parliament last month to become Thailand’s youngest prime minister and the second woman to hold the post, following the shock ouster of predecessor Srettha Thavisin by a court, which said she had violated ethics in a cabinet appointment.

Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is still seen as wielding power behind the scenes. He is the fourth member of the family to hold the post, the other three having been removed by coups or court orders.