Bangkok, 3 July (IANS). The Cabinet of Thailand on Thursday agreed to appoint Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Phumtham Vachayachai as acting Prime Minister after the suspension of Partangatar Shinavatra.
The Thai government said in a statement issued after the swearing -in of the new cabinet members that Phoomtham will have the same rights and responsibilities as the Prime Minister. Phumtham was previously listed as acting Prime Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Surya Jungurungarengkit was nominated as the second acting Prime Minister. He was the first acting Prime Minister.
The Partangatarn, which was also made the Minister of Culture in the first cabinet reshuffle, has been suspended from performing the duties of the Prime Minister by the order of the Constitutional Court until the morality investigation is pending.
In a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, he attempted to reduce stress, but instead a series of complaints and public protests began.
According to the report by news agency Xinhua, a group of 36 senators last month filed a petition in the court demanding the removal of Partangatarn from the post alleging serious moral violations associated with a leaked telephone conversation on border issues with Cambodia.
Earlier on Thursday, King Maha Waziralongcorn of Thailand administered the oath to the new cabinet after the royal support of the Council of Ministers earlier this week.
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday unanimously reviewed the petition accusing Partangatarn of violation of morality and voted 7–2 to immediately suspend them, until he pronounces his verdict. The court gave Partangatarn 15 days to give evidence to support its case. It is not clear when the court will pronounce the verdict.
-IANS
ASH/AKE