New Thai cabinet to be formed

Thailand is finally set to inaugurate its new cabinet after months of political limbo since May's general election.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took office last month. The Royal Gazette published on Saturday the list of 34 cabinet members following endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Srettha's Pheu Thai Party will lead the new coalition government comprising 11 parties, including pro-military factions. It won the second-most lower house seats in the election.

In the new cabinet, Pheu Thai holds the major defense and foreign portfolios. The pro-military faction maintains its presence with posts directly tied to its interests, such as agriculture and energy.
A political expert says Srettha will have a hard time managing his administration, given that it includes pro-military parties with which his party has long been at odds.

Srettha and his cabinet are due to take an oath at an audience with the king on Tuesday.

The prime minister says he will miss the summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Nations this week. He will send a foreign ministry official in his place.