Thailand's Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed as new acting PM, government says

The veteran Pheu Thai Party politician has long worked with the influential former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reacts as he arrives ahead of a royal oath-taking ceremony for the new cabinet, where he will be sworn in as Thailand’s Minister of Interior, at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Jul 3, 2025. REUTERS

Thailand's deputy premier Phumtham Wechayachai was confirmed on Thursday as the new caretaker prime minister, a government statement said.

Phumtham, 71, is a veteran Pheu Thai Party politician who has long worked with the influential former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the driving force in the current government. Phumtham takes the role following a court's order of suspension from duty this week of Paetongtarn Shinawatra.