Pipat said on July 18: “Thailand needs to give tourists the confidence to visit the country.”

He vowed the incoming administration would do its utmost to make all tourists feel welcome but stressed that all policies depended on the view of the Prime Minister. This included any special steps to encourage visitors from China, which provides the highest number of tourists.

“Personally I think that our country is one of the world’s top destinations and we will try to invite tourists from countries with strong economies to visit Thailand,” he said.

“We will spread our efforts on many groups, not any particular group. I would like to provide the best convenience to tourists but we’ll have to listen to the policy from the Prime Minister first.”

Pipap said he had set himself twin goals: to boost the country’s tourism, and therefore important revenue, but also to help turn promising junior athletes into senior successes.

“I think many people from around the world want to come to Thailand and we should stage big sports events here as it would help generate additional income for the country,” he said.

On the sports side of his ministerial role, he said he hoped to attract more world-class events to the country.

“Right now we already have the Moto GP, and the Prime Minister has mentioned the possibility of holding a world-level trail running event [a sport that combines running with hiking], as well as e-sports” said Pipat.

NCPO Order 3/2015 authorised soldiers to detain people in custody and later make them undergo military indoctrination even when those people have not faced a court or any criminal charges.

Until recently neither this, nor many other NCPO orders, had been revoked.

The source was responding to a widely-distributed column from the iLaw website, which asked if the order was therefore still in force and posed a threat to critics of the government or anti-junta activists.

He explained that NCPO Order 3/2015 had been kept active just in case it was still needed, because at that time the Cabinet had not been sworn in. The King and Queen duly swore in the new Cabinet on July 16.

“The Order [3/2015] technically became inactive immediately after the new Cabinet was sworn in,” the source said.

He served half of his 10-year-and-10-month term he was given for violating the lese majeste law in a hate speech against the monarchy at a red-shirt protest in 2013.

The singer-turned-protester, who was welcomed by fellow red shirts outside the prison and at a shopping mall on Lat Phrao Road, said he will return to his music now that he has been freed.

Royal Thai Army commander-in-chief General Apirat Kongsompong said he had made no such threats or even commented on the upcoming parliamentary debate on the new government’s policies.

Earlier, social-media users had shared a post depicting his image with the message: “A debate against the prime minister is like tripping up the country. If people with ill intentions cause chaos, I will have to do something for the country. Don’t force me to do it.”

General Apirat maintained on Wednesday that he has made no such remark. “Reporters who cover the [military] beat know that I’ve never said such a thing. It’s obviously fake news. Who will say such a thing?”

The Army chief also said he has made no politics related comments for a while now.

“The NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order] does not have any duties,” he said, referring to the post-coup junta that has stopped existing since the new government – still led by General Prayut Chan-o-cha – was formed.

Apirat said any debate involving the prime minister was a matter for the Parliament.

“It’s part of the political process in Parliament under a democratic system. Nobody can prevent it. Don’t try to involve me in the matter,” the Army chief said.

Opposition MPs are expected to grill Prayut and his Cabinet members during the parliamentary debate on the government’s policy statement next week.

Wissanu said coalition member the Democrat Party, which had made amendment of the Constitution a key policy platform during election campaigning, was satisfied with the move.

“Amendment of the Constitution is classified as an urgent government policy. No timeframe has been set, whether it be six months or one year. The [government’s] policies are merely classified as urgent or general,” said Wissanu, who is in charge of government legal affairs.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also doubles as defence minister, would announce the policies in detail during the parliamentary debate on the government policy statement next week, he added.

Critics and opposition politicians have attacked the current Constitution, in force since April 2017, for provisions that they say violate democratic principles.

Wissanu said on Wednesday that all the coalition parties were satisfied with the final draft of the government’s policy statement. The Cabinet will now revise the wording before the final policy statement is submitted to Parliament for a debate tentatively scheduled for July 25 and 26.

MP Suthin Klungsang, of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, said on Wednesday that government whips had not made an official response to the opposition whips’ request for three days of debate, from July 24 to 26.

“We asked for the opposition to get 20 hours for debate. Our argument is that the debate on the Yingluck Shinawatra government’s policy statement also was allocated three days,” Suthin said.

He added that the opposition was still waiting for a clear response from the government whips.

The parliamentary debate on the government’s policy statement – to be attended by MPs and senators – has been tentatively scheduled for July 25 and 26. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha reportedly has an important work schedule on July 24.

Fifteen hours have been allocated for each of the two days scheduled, with government MPs, opposition MPs and senators getting equal time.

Suthin said on Wednesday that opposition whips would meet next Monday to discuss the scope of debate by MPs from the opposition bloc.

He added that Pheu Thai would hold training for its MPs wishing to join in on the debate on the government’s policy statement. The party’s veteran politicians, including MPs who have had a number of stints in the legislature, would advise them on debating techniques and the details to be aired on issues covered by the statement.

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said on Wednesday that two days is more than enough for the government to unveil its policies, provided the opposition MPs do not stray out of the agenda. The parliamentary session for the presentation of policies has been set for July 25 and 26.

No senators have been assigned the job of discussing the government policies in Parliament, he said, adding that a meeting will be held next week once the Senate receives the new government’s policies.

Pornpetch said the Senate will only discuss the overall picture of the policies – not on a ministry-by-ministry basis. He also added that senators will not be allowed to launch any personal attacks on the Cabinet members.

Senator Seri Suwannaphanont said he believes senators will not act as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s “personal guardians” when he is targeted or attacked by the opposition MPs during the two-day period.

The backgrounds and qualifications of the social and education ministers are given below.:

Anutin Charnvirakul

Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister

Born September 13, 1966, age 52

Education

Attended secondary school at Assumption College then earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Hoftra University in the US

Political career

The current leader of the Bhumjai Thai Party leader, he was public health minister and an executive of the Thai Rak Thai Party. He was banned from politics for five years after the party was dissolved in 2007.

Anutin has two children, Naiyaphak and Seranee Charnvirakul.

Sathit Pitutecha

Deputy Public Health Minister

Born on February 2, 1967, age 52

Education

Sathit holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Ramkhamhaeng University, a master’s degree in public administration from Burapha University and a doctorate in business administration (in industrial business management) from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok.

Political career

A four-time MP, Sathit is deputy Democrat leader in charge of central provinces.

He is married to Bee and the couple has one daughter, Cher.

Suvit Maesincee

Minister for Undergraduate Education, Research, Science and Innovation

Suvit was born on May 12, 1961.

Education:

Suvit finished secondary school from Thepsirin School. He got a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Mahidol University, a master’s in marketing from the National Institute of Development Administration and a doctorate from the North Western University in the United States.

Career

Suvit used to be a lecturer at the marketing department of the Sasin School of Management of Chulalongkorn University.

He was an adviser to deputy prime minister (Somkid Jatusripitak) and was an assistant to PM’s Office Minister (Somkid Jatusripitak) in the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

He was appointed a member of the National Reform Council on society quota. He served as deputy commerce minister and PM’s Office minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

He is married to Phakathong Maesincee.

Juti Krairiksh

Social Development and Human Security Minister

Born December 14, 1956, aged 63

Education

A student of Saint Gabriel School, he holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from a university in Queensland, Australia.

Political history

A former secretary general of the Democrat Party, he has been elected seven times as Democrat MP and is a former Information and Communication Technology minister.

He is married to Samarnjit.

Ittipol Khunpluem

Culture Minister

Education: Ittipol finished primary school from Assumption Si Racha School and he finished secondary school from Suan Kularb College. He got a bachelor of law degree from Chulalongkorn University and a master of law from the Golden Gate University in the US.

Political career: He is the director of the Phalang Pracharat Party. He was earlier an assistant to the PM’s Office minister under the supervision of the sports minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government. He used to be mayor of Pattaya City. He was elected as MP twice. From 2001 to 2008, he was a member of the Chart Thai and then Thai Rak Thai, People Power and Pheu Thai parties.

Born on December 15, 1973, Ittipol is the fourth son of Somchai Khunpluem and Satil Khunpluem.He is married to Ratchad Chatikavanij.

Tewan Liptapanlop

PM’s Office Minister

Born December 29, 1959, age 59

Education

Hold a bachelor’s degree in law from Chulalongkorn University.

Political career

The leader of Chart Pattana Party, Tewan has been elected as an MP three times. A former executive of the Thai Rak Thai, he was banned from politics for five years after the party was dissolved in 2007.

He is a younger brother of Suwat Liptapanlop and has a son, Tharon.

MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul

Labour Minister

Born September 28, 1943, age 75

Education

A student of Bangkok Christian College and Harrow School, he holds bachelor’s degrees in engineering and economics from Cambridge University and a master’s degree in business administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Political career

MR Chatu started government service as an official with the Fiscal Policy Office and went on to become director general of the Comptroller General’s Department, director general of the Excise Department, director general of the Revenue Department and permanent secretary for Finance Ministry.

He was elected as a senator in 1996 and named governor of the Bank of Thailand in May 1998. He was named leader of the Action Coalition of Thailand Party on August 5, 2018.

He is married to with Bulwipha Sonakul na Ayutthaya with whom he has two children, ML Orn and Api Mongol Sonakul, the latter a former Bangkok MP with the Democrat Party. He also has one son, ML Ming, by his first wife Ratchanee Kachasenee.

Nataphol Teepsuwan

Education Minister

Nataphol, 53, was born on May 29, 1966 in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States.

Education: Nataphol got a master’s degree in marketing from Thammasat University.

Political career: He was director of the Democrat Party in 2007.

On January 11, 2009, Nataphol was elected MP from Bangkok’s Constituency 10 as Democrat candidate.

Nataphol resigned as Democrat MP and party member and from 2013 to 2014, became a leading member of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to lead protests against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

In 2018, he became a deputy leader of Phalang Pracharat Party.

On March 24, 2019, he was elected a party-list MP of the Phalang Pracharat.

Known by his nickname “Tun”, he is married to Thaya Teepsuwan, the owner of Srivikorn School and a furniture and interior design business.

Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich

Deputy Education Minister

Education: Kalaya got a bachelor’s degree in science (with honours) from Chulalongkorn University. She got a Colombo scholarship to study for a master’s degree. She later got a scholarship to do a doctorate in nuclear physics from the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London. She earned a doctorate in high energy nuclear physics.

Political career: Kalaya is a deputy leader of the Democrat Party. She was science minister in the Democrat-led Abhisit Vejjajiva government from 2008-10. She is now a party-list MP of the Democrat Party.

Born on September 21, 1940, she is married to Chote Sophonpanich, the fourth son of Shin Sophonpanich, the founder of Bangkok Bank. They have four children — Chotiya Sophonpanich, Chalit Sophonpanich, Suphana Sophonpanich and Kitiya Sophonpanich.

Kanokwan Wilawal

Deputy Education Minister

Education: Kanokwan got a bachelor of law degree from Ramkhamhaeng University and followed with a master of arts degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. She earned an honorary doctorate in philosophy from Krirk University.

Political career: Kanokwan is deputy secretary-general of Bhumjaithai Party. She used to be deputy chief of the Prachin Buri Administrative Organisation. She has been elected as MP twice.

Born on June 27, 1966, she is married to Pakorn Srichanngam. They have three children — Pawan Srichanngam, Pawawara Srichanngam and Parinthorn Srichanngam.

Buddhipongse Punnakanta

Digital Economy and Society Minister

Buddhipongse, 50, was born on November 20, 1968.

Education: Puttipong got a bachelor in economics degree from Ohio State University in the United States in 1992.

Political career: He returned to Thailand to work as an assistant manager of the Ratchathani Group’s real estate project and later became an official of the Office of the Board of Investment under the PM’s Office.

In 2002, Buddhipongse became a Democrat MP from Bangkok’s Constituency 4.

From 2004 to 2008, he served as spokesman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (when Apirak Kosayothin was BMA governor).

In 2010, Buddhipongse was an assistant to the industry minister and deputy government spokesman for the Abhisit Vejjajiva Democrat-led government.

In 2011, Buddhipongse became a Democrat MP from Bangkok’s Constituency 7 (Huai Kwang district).

From 2013 to 2014, he resigned as Democrat MP and party member to become a leading member of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to lead protests against the government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

From October 26, 2018 to February 5, 2019, he was the government spokesman of the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

On March 24, 2019, he became a party-list MP of the Phalang Pracharat Party.

Also known by his nickname “B”, Buddhipongse is married to Nussaba Wanit-angkoon, a popular entertainer. They have two children — Puna and Kanta. He is the elder brother of actor and politician Danuporn Punnakanta.

The backgrounds and qualifications of the economy ministers are given below.:

Somkid Jatusripitak

Deputy Prime Minister

Born July 15, 1953, age 66

Education

Attended Triam Udomsuksa School before earning his bachelor’s degree in banking and international economics from Thammasat University. He holds a master’s degree in business administration in finance from the National Institute of Development Administration and a doctorate degree in business administration in marketing management from the North Western University, the US.

Political career

Adviser to the foreign minister and adviser to a deputy prime minister under the Thaksin Shinawatra government, he held the post of finance minister four times, deputy prime minister three times, and also served as commerce minister during the tenure of Thaksin Shinanwatra. After the 2014 coup, Somkid became a deputy prime minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

He is married to Anuratchanee and the couple has three children: Naphat, who is married to Wanisara Boonyaleephan, Napol and Nachat.

Jurin Laksanawisit

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister

Born March 15, 1956, age 63

Education

Jurin attended primary school at the Siriraj Witthaya School in Phang Nga and secondary school at Suan Kularb College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, from Thammasat University and holds a master’s degree in public administration in public policies and planning from the National Institute of Development Administration.

Political career

The eighth leader of the Democrat Party, he has been elected as an MP 11 times. He has served as public health minister, deputy commerce minister, deputy agriculture minister and PM’s Office minister.

He is married to Or-anong and the couple has two children, Praewprae and Ornjarin.

Weerasak Wongsuphakijkoson

Deputy Commerce Minister

Education

Born on November 20, 1955, Weerasak finished primary school from Ban Tha Toom School in Sri Mahaphote district in Prachin Buri province. He finished secondary school from the non-formal education centre in Khon Buri district in Nakhon Ratchasima province. He got a bachelor’s degree in arts (political science) from Ramkhamhaeng University.

Political career:

Weerasak is a Bhumjaithai party-list MP and a Bhumjaithai executive. He was a businessman before entering politics.

He is married to Yonlada Wongsuphakijkoson. They have three children — Sudawan Wongsuphakijkoson, Rirkhirun Wongsuphakijkoson, and Wiriya Wongsuphakijkoson.

Finance Minister

Born May 19, 1960, age 59

Education

Holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Brown University in the US, an MBA in

finance and international businesses from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a doctorate degree in finance from the School of Management, University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Political career

A former rector of Bangkok University, he served as an adviser to finance minister Somkid Jatusripitak and an assistant to PM’s Office minister in 2015. He was also information and communication technology minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government but resigned on September 12, 2016 to allow the digital economy and society minister to head the new ministry. Following his resignation, he was appointed as an advisor to the prime minister and became the industry minister in December 2016 in the first Prayut government.

He is the current leader of the Phalang Pracharat Party leader.

He is married to Ichaya.

Santi Phromphat

Deputy Finance Minister

Education:

Santi got a bachelor’s degree in arts followed by a master’s (in political science) from Ramkhamhaeng University.

Political career: Santi is a Phalang Pracharat party-list MP. He was earlier a PM’s Office minister, and the social development and human security minister. He used to be a Pheu Thai party-list MP. He was transport minister in the Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat governments.

Born on January 1, 1952, he is married to Wanphen Phromphat. They have two children.

Chalermchai Sri-on

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister

Born March 7, 1965 age 54

Completed secondary education at Prommanusorn School in Phetchaburi then earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law and a master degree’s in arts in policies and planning from Krirk University.

Political career

Elected as an MP on four occasions and a former labour minister, Chalermchai is the secretary general of the Democrat Party.

He is married to Thanyawee and the couple has one son, Sorawit.

Thammanas Phromphao

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister

Education

A former student of Class 25 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, he moved into Class 36 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, where he studied with Gen Romklao Thuwatham and Lt Col Himalai Phiewphan.

Political career

In charge of the election strategy in Bangkok for the Thai Rak Thai in1999, he resigned from government service that same year to open a security operation, Thammanas Guards, which became the first private security firm contracted to keep security at Suvarnabhumi Airport. He also owns a bus business, a real estate firm, and a marketing firm and his company, Kwan Ruedee Ltd Part, is one of five major distributors of government lottery tickets.

In 2014, he contested the general election as a Pheu Thai party-list candidate but the election was later annulled. In 2018, he joined the Phalang Pracharat and became the chair of the election strategy committee for the northern provinces. He was elected Phalang Pracharat MP for Phayao on March 24, 2019.

Mananya Thaiset

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister

Born August 1962, age 56

Education

Holds a bachelor’s degree in the arts from Rajabhat Suan Dusit University.

Political career

Three times mayor of Muang Uthai Thani Municipality from 2008 to 2019.

The younger sister of Uthai Than MP Chada Thaiset, she has one son, Jeseth.

Praphat Phothasuthon

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister

Born August 1, 1949, age 69

Education

After completing his secondary education at Amnuay Silp Phra Nakhon School, Phaphat went to India where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics before returning to study for a master’s degree in political science at Thammasat University.

Political career

A long-time politician with 12 tenures as MP to his credit, Praphat has served as agriculture minister, deputy interior minister and as deputy finance minister on two occasions. He is currently the secretary general of the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Suriya Juangroongruangkit

Industry Minister

Suriya, 65, was born on December 10, 1954.

Education

He got his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States.

Political career

In 1998, Suriya became a deputy industry minister in the Chuan Leekpai government.

In 2001, Suriya became the secretary-general of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

From 2001 to 2002, he served as industry minister of the Thaksin I government when he was the 12th party-list MP of the Thai Rak Thai.

From October 3, 2002 to August 2, 2005, Somsak was transport minister in the Thaksin II government.

In 2018, Suriya became a leader of the Three Friends group which recruited former MPs to work with the Phalang Pracharat.

On March 24, 2019, Suriya became a Phalang Pracharat party-list MP.He is married to Surisa Juangroongruangkit. They have a son, Satanan Juangroongruangkit. Suriya is an uncle of Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

Sontirat Sontijirawong

Energy Minister

Sontirat was born on March 19, 1960

Education:

He got a bachelor’s degree in materials science and a master’s in business administration from Chulalongkorn University.

Political career:

Sontirat served as deputy commerce minister and an adviser to the industry minister.

He was a member of the National Reform Council, appointed on society quota. He was appointed an adviser to the industry minister (Anchaka Siboonruang) on October 2, 2014. He was a member of the National Reform Steering Assembly and a deputy commerce minister before becoming commerce minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

He is currently secretary-general of the Phalang Pracharat Party.

He is married to Supaporn Sontijirawong.

Saksayam Chidchob

Transport Minister

Born November 9, 1962, age 56

Education

Completed secondary school at Suan Kularb College and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the National Institute of Development of Administration.

Political career

The former chairman of a working panel under interior minister Chaovarat Charnvirakul during the 2008 political crisis and a former executive of the Thai Rak Thai Party, he was banned from politics for five years after Thai Rak Thai was dissolved in 2007. He is currently secretary general of the Bhumjai Thai Party.

The son of politicians Chai and La-ong Chidchob and the younger brother of Newin, he is single.

Thavorn Senniam

Deputy Transport Minister

Born March 29, 1947, age 72

Education

Completed his secondary education at the Maha Vajiravudh School in Songkhla then earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Thammasat University before becoming barrister of law (ranked sixth in Class 25) at the law school of the Thai Bar under the Royal Patronage. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the National Institute of Development Administration.

Political career

A deputy leader of the Democrat Party, he has been elected six times as a Democrat MP and is a former deputy Interior Minister.

He is married to Maj Gen Janthima Senniam and the couple has three children, Pimchan, Natkarn and Sitthinon,

Atheerat Rattanaset

Deputy Transport Minister

Education: Atheerat got a master of Arts degree from the International Business London Metropolitan University in England. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science on politics and administration from Thammasat University.

Political career: He was elected Nakhon Ratchasima MP once under the Thai Rak Thai banner in 2011. He is now a Phalang Pracharat member.

Born on April 18, 1984, Atheerat is the son of Wirat Rattanaset and Thassaneeya Ratanaset. The Nakhon Ratchasima politician is currently single.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn

Tourism and Sports Minister

Education:

He got a bachelor’s and master’s in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University’s Faculty of Political Science.

Political career:

He was a Bhumjaithai party-list MP.

He was a businessman before entering politics.

Phiphat is married to Nathee Ratchakitprakarn.

The backgrounds and qualifications of the law and securities ministers are given below.:

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prime Minister and Defence Minister

Born 21 March 21,1954; age 65

Prayut studied in Class 12 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School before moving on to Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Class 23.

A former commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the 21st Infantry Regiment, he has also held the posts of commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, and commander of the First Army Area. He was later promoted to Army chief-of-staff then deputy Army chief, eventually assuming the top post of Army commander-in-chief.

Prayut is the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order that staged a coup to topple the government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on May 22, 2014.

Prayut became the prime minister and NCPO chief in August 2014.

He is married to Naraporn and the couple has twin daughters, Thanya and Nittha.

Wissanu Krea-ngam

Deputy Prime Minister

Born September 15, 1951, age 67

Wissanu holds a bachelor’s degree in law with first-class honours from Thammasat University and continued his studies to become a barrister-at-law at the law school of the Thai Bar under the Royal Patronage. He also earned a master’s degree in law (LLM.) and a doctorate degree in the science of law (JSD) from the University of California, Berkeley, USA on a government scholarship.

Wissanu started his political career as the government spokesman of then prime minister Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon. He served twice as deputy prime minister during the government of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2002.

After the 2006 coup, Wissanu was appointed as a member of the National Legislative Assembly and took part in the drafting of the 2007 constitution.

Wissanu was deputy prime minister in the first government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

He is married to Watcharaporn and the couple has one son, Witchaya.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwan

Deputy Prime Minister

Born August 11, 1945, age 74

Education

Secondary education at Saint Gabriel before attended Class 6 of the Armed Forces Academics Preparatory School, Class 17 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and Class 56 of the Army Staff Officer School.

Political career

A former commander of the First Army Area and Army commander-in-chief, he served as defence minister in the Abhisit Vejjajiva government and was deputy prime minister and defense minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

General Chaicharn Changmongkol

Deputy Defence Minister

Born on January 25, 1957, Chaicharn studied in Class 16 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and Class 27 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.

Political career:

He was a permanent secretary for the Defence Ministry and a member of the National Legislative Assembly.

He served as deputy defence minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

He is married to Wipaporn Changmongkol and they have one daughter, Chonyacha Changmongkol.

Gen Anupong Paochinda

Interior Minister

Born October 10, 1949, age 69

Education

Completed secondary education at Amnuaysilp Phra Nakhon School before joining Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and Class 21 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University and a master’s degree in public administration (management for executives) from the National Institute of Development Administration.

Political career

An Army officer in charge of controlling the combat agencies of the Army, Anupong has served as commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment and the First Army Division, Royal Guards. He later became the deputy commander of the First Army Area before being promoted to commander. He held this position when he took part in the September 19, 2006 coup and was appointed as 36th Army commander-in-chief on September 19, 2007. He served as interior minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

He is married to Kulaya and the couple has two children, Yutthapong and Wimlin.

Niphon Bunyamanee

Deputy Interior Minister

Born July 22, 1958, age 60

Education

Attended primary school at Wat Na Thap School and Thanon Wichian Chom School in Songkhla before completing secondary education at the Maha Vajiravudh School in Songkhla, Niphon earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Ramkhamhaeng University and became a barrister of law after studying at the law school of the Thai Bar under the Royal Patronage. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the National Institute of Development Administration and a master’s degree in economics from Ramkhamhaeng University.

Political career

A former chief of Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization, ex secretary general of the Democrat Party and five-time MP for Songkhla, he is the deputy leader of the Democrat Party.

He is married to Kalaya, who serves as city clerk of Muang Songkhla Municipality, and the couple has three children, Nithiya, Sanphet and Nithikorn.

Born January 25, 1950, age 69

Education

The holder of a bachelor’s degree in political science from Chulalongkorn University, he won a scholarship from the Office of Civil Service Commission to study for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of California. He also holds a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.

Political career

A former official of the Foreign Ministry, he has served consul general in several countries and also as ambassador to the United Nations. He was deputy foreign minister then foreign minister in the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government.

He is married to Nareerat.

Somsak Thepsuthin

Justice Minister

Somsak, 64, was born on January 13, 1955.

Education

He got his bachelor’s degree in engineering from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang in 1978.

He got his master’s in political science (in public administration) from Thammasat University in 1995.

Political career

April 18, 1983: Somsak was elected a member of Parliament for the first time from Sukhothai’s Constituency 1 as Social Action Party candidate.

April 17, 1992: He became deputy public health minister in the government of prime minister General Suchina Kraprayoon.

July 18, 1995: Somsak was named deputy transport minister.

October 24, 1997: He became deputy public health minister in the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh government.

January 6, 2001: Somsak became a Thai Rai Thai party-list MP.

October 3, 2002: He became industry minister in the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

November 8, 2003: He became agriculture minister in the Thaksin government.

August 2, 2005: Somsak was named labour minister in the Thaksin government.

June 7, 2005: Somsak became deputy Thai Rak Thai leader.

May 30, 2007: Somsak was banned from politics for five years.

In 2018, Somsak became a member of the Phalang Pracharat Party.

March 24, 2019: Somsak became a Phalang Pracharat party-list MP.

He is married to Anongwan Thepsuthin, a former natural resources and environment minister. They have two children.

The new Prayut Chan-o-cha government was sworn in on Tuesday during a ceremony overseen by His Majesty the King, signalling the return of civilian rule after five years following the military coup in 2014.

The ceremony took place at 6pm in the Amphorn Satharn Throne Hall, where all 36 ministers were present. In a break with tradition, however, television cameras were not on hand to record the event.

The historic occasion marked the first time that HM the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, as head of state, together with Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, has overseen the advent of a new government – the King’s first event of such kind after his Coronation in May.

Also new was the venue for the ceremony, which has previously been held in the nearby Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.

Speaking afterwards, Prime Minister Prayut said the King had extended his morale support to the Cabinet, and asked it to serve the country for the benefit of the Thai people.

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said that the King also congratulated the Cabinet and wished it well in achieving a smooth working process in which ministers would overcome all obstacles.

The Cabinet later traveled to the Government House for group photos of the new ministers.

Prayut said a meeting would be called among Cabinet members before they faced Parliament for the mandatory unveiling of new government policy on July 25.

He added that a government spokesman would not be appointed today, as had been expected.