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Phumtham Wechayachai
Thai politician (born 1953) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Phumtham Wechayachai[a] (born 5 December 1953) is a Thai politician who is serving acting prime minister of Thailand following the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra in July 2025. He previously served as acting prime minister from 14 to 16 August 2024, following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin.[1]
He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand in the Srettha cabinet,[2] and in Paetongtarn cabinet he served Minister of Defence and is still sitting as both Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
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Early life and career
Phumtham was born on 5 December 1953 native to Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. He graduated high school from Taweethapisek School. Pursuing higher education, Phumtham obtained a Bachelor of Political Science from Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University in 1975, followed by a Master of Political Science in 1984.
Phumtham was chief executive officer of Shin Corporation from 1997 to 1998.
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Political career
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Phumtham was a member of the Communist Party of Thailand from 1977 to 1978. He was later a member of the Democrat Party from 1978 until 1997, joining Thai Rak Thai (TRT).
Phumtham worked as an advisor to the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before being appointed Deputy Minister of Transport in the Thaksin II cabinet.
Thaksin's government was overthrown by the Royal Thai Army on 19 November 2006 in a coup. The TRT was dissovled and 111 party executives, including Phumtham, were banned from holding political office for the next five years in 2007. Despite this, Phumtham remained loyal to Thaksin and his parties by working behind the scenes as a media strategist.[3][4] When the ban expired in April 2012, he spoke of his desire for national reconciliation and his willingness to work for the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), TRT's eventual successor.[5] The end of the political ban for the 111 former executives placed pressure on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to shuffle her cabinet to make room. Although Phumtham was tipped for a possible post as Minister of Interior,[6] he did not receive one and instead served as the party's Director and then its Secretary-General and Deputy Leader from 2012 to 2013.
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Srettha and Paetongtarn governments
Following the 2023 Thai general election, Phumtham was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce in the Srettha cabinet.
On 28 April 2024, Phumtham was appointed Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs after the resignation of Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara. He was succeeded on 30 April by Maris Sangiampongsa.[7]
In March 2025, Phumtham held a meeting with Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui regarding Thailand’s deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China.[8]
Acting premierships (2024, 2025)
On 14 August 2024, Phumtham was appointed acting Prime Minister of Thailand following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court.[9][10]
Following the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister by the Constitutional Court, Phumtham, who was her deputy prime minister, became the interim prime minister.[11]
Royal decorations
- 2024 –
Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand[12] - 2008 –
Knight Grand Cross (First Class) The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant[13]
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Notes
- Thai: ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย, RTGS: Phumtham Wetchayachai, pronounced [pʰūːm.tʰām wêːt.tɕʰá.já.tɕʰāj]
References
External links
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