Thailand swears in new Cabinet including suspended prime minister

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand swore in new Cabinet members Thursday with its government in flux after the Constitutional Court suspended the prime minister less than a year after the same court removed her predecessor.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was suspended as prime minister while under an ethics investigation for a conversation with a senior Cambodian leader, returned to the cabinet as culture minister.

The top job was filled by Phumtham Wechayachai, a longtime ally of Paetongtarn's father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Phumtham served under Paetongtarn as deputy prime minister and defense minister. He was sworn in Thursday as deputy prime minister and interior minister.

Phumtham told reporters that he would keep things running and denied that recent events showed instability within the government.

Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, including an armed confrontation in May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.

In a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, she attempted to defuse tensions — but instead set off a string of complaints and public protests. Critics said she went too far in appeasing Hun Sen and damaged Thailand’s image and interests.

The Constitutional Court voted unanimously Tuesday to review a petition accusing Paetongtarn of a breach of the ethics and voted 7-2 to immediately suspend her until it issues its ruling. The court gave Paetongtarn 15 days to give evidence to support her case. It’s unclear when it will rule.

The same day, Thailand’s king endorsed a Cabinet lineup in which Paetongtarn would be the culture minister.

Phumtham was assigned on Thursday to be first of several deputies in line to act as prime minister, said government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub.

Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who was acting prime minister in the interim, led the new Cabinet members at the ceremony to receive the endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn at the Dusit Palace.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai arrives at government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, July 3, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

In this photo released by Bureau of the Royal Household, Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and his cabinet members to take their oath in front of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida at Ampornsan Throne Hall in Bangkok Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Bureau of the Royal Household via AP)

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit, fourth, from left leaves Government House with his new cabinet to take new cabinet oath in front of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit arrives at government house before taking new cabinet oath in front of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at Government House as she takes the oath of office as Minister of Culture in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, July 3, 2025.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2026--

With combined business spend on loyalty, employee recognition, and channel incentives projected to exceed $80 billion by the 2030s, the incentive industry is entering a period of rapid scale and strategic pressure.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422729016/en/

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Incentive Market Set to Surpass $80B by 2030s — IMA Launches Tools to Help the Industry Keep Pace