Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will assume the role of acting prime minister, leading the new Cabinet during its oath-taking ceremony before His Majesty the King scheduled for Thursday, 3 July 2025. His temporary appointment comes amid procedural uncertainty following the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
According to a government source, Phumtham Wechayachai would ordinarily have assumed the acting role, being the first-ranked deputy prime minister. However, a legal issue related to Cabinet appointments has delayed his formal reinstatement, rendering him ineligible to act in any official capacity at present. As Phumtham has not yet taken his oath of office before the monarch, he cannot fulfill the functions of either deputy prime minister or interior minister.
With Phumtham unable to serve, the responsibility shifts to Suriya, currently the only other deputy prime minister in a position to take on the acting premiership. This marks an unprecedented situation in Thai politics—where the prime minister is suspended while the new Cabinet has not yet been officially sworn in.
To clarify procedures, the secretary-general of the Cabinet has consulted the Council of State, seeking legal advice on how to manage this interim arrangement under current constitutional rules.
A Cabinet resolution dated 17 September 2024 outlines the succession order should the prime minister be unable to perform their duties. The list places Phumtham first, followed by Suriya, Anutin Charnvirakul, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Pichai Chunhavajira, and Prasert Chantararuangthong. However, Anutin is no longer eligible due to the Bhumjaithai Party’s recent exit from the ruling coalition.
Phumtham, Pirapan, Pichai, and Prasert are all members of the incoming Cabinet who have not yet been sworn in, leaving Suriya as the highest-ranking available official to temporarily lead the government during this transition.
