The newly formed coalition government is set to begin implementing its policies, including the digital money handout scheme, in two weeks, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who spoke yesterday.
However, he did not specify when the revised cabinet lineup would be submitted for royal approval. He mentioned that nominations from all coalition parties had been reviewed by the relevant state organizations and forwarded to the Secretariat of the Cabinet (SoC) and the Council of State (CoS) for final assessment.
Mr. Phumtham explained that it is now up to the SoC and the CoS to decide how to proceed. He reiterated his earlier statement that all necessary processes before the government can officially take office should be completed within 15 days, allowing for a three-day grace period before and after.
“What many people are anticipating is the government beginning to address issues while ensuring unity among coalition partners,” Mr. Phumtham noted, referencing a recent opinion survey. As the caretaker deputy prime minister, he expressed his eagerness to see the new government endorsed and operational as soon as possible.
In response to speculation about whether the digital wallet handout scheme might be omitted from the government’s policy statement to be delivered in parliament, Mr. Phumtham confirmed that the scheme, part of an economic stimulus initiative, would go ahead.
On Friday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that the new cabinet lineup was nearly finalized, pending verification of the nominees’ qualifications, which is expected to take about a week.
“Will the list be submitted for royal endorsement next week? As soon as it is verified and sent back to us, we will do our best to expedite the process,” she said. The Prime Minister also addressed inquiries regarding the decision of her Pheu Thai Party not to include the Palang Pracharath Party in the new cabinet, explaining that there were multiple reasons behind this choice that she preferred not to elaborate on.
