Bangkok, August 30, 2024, The Europe Today: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra returned to the kitchen on Friday, ensuring the gas flame was burning brightly as she announced that the “recipe” for her new cabinet has been finalized.
During a visit to flood-stricken Sukhothai, the prime minister prepared pad kaprao with nuea khokhun (premium beef), alongside renowned chef Chumpol Jaengprai in Muang district. This time, she took extra care to show that everything was in working order.
“Is the flame on?” she asked, double-checking before cooking meals for local residents affected by the severe flooding.
She even instructed reporters to bring their microphones closer to the gas cylinder to capture the sound of the flame, emphasizing her commitment to transparency after critics questioned the authenticity of her previous cooking efforts in Nan, where no flame was visible in photos. The Pheu Thai Party later clarified that the large wok had obscured the flame.
Sukhothai is the second province ravaged by floods that the prime minister has visited to provide relief.
When questioned by reporters about the progress of forming her cabinet, Ms. Paetongtarn confirmed that the list is complete and that all candidates are currently undergoing qualification checks.
On Thursday, the Democrat Party became the latest to join the coalition government, securing a stable majority with 322 votes in the 500-member House of Representatives.
Ms. Paetongtarn stated that the Democrats’ inclusion would bring stability to the government, as Pheu Thai and Thailand’s oldest political party unite to address the nation’s challenges. She hinted that the cabinet list could be ready for royal endorsement by next week.
All members of the new cabinet must take an oath of allegiance, and the prime minister is required to present the government’s policies in Parliament to complete the formalities needed to begin governing the country.
