Phumtham Wechayachai

Phumtham Wechayachai MPCh MVM (Thai: ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย, RTGS: Phumtham Wetchayachai, pronounced [pʰūːm.tʰām wêːt.tɕʰá.já.tɕʰāj]; born 5 December 1953) is a Thai politician who served as acting prime minister of Thailand 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]

Phumtham Wechayachai MPCh MVM
ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย
Phumtham in 2025
Acting Prime Minister of Thailand
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 July 2025
Monarch	Vajiralongkorn
Preceded by	Suriya Juangroongruangkit (acting)
In office 14 August 2024 – 16 August 2024
Monarch	Vajiralongkorn
Preceded by	Srettha Thavisin
Succeeded by	Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 September 2023
Prime Minister	Srettha Thavisin Himself (acting) Paetongtarn Shinawatra[a]
Minister of Interior
Incumbent
Assumed office 30 June 2025
Prime Minister	Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suriya Juangroongruangkit (acting) Himself (acting)
Preceded by	Anutin Charnvirakul
Minister of Defence
In office 3 September 2024 – 30 June 2025
Prime Minister	Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Preceded by	Sutin Klungsang
Minister of Commerce
In office 1 September 2023 – 3 September 2024
Prime Minister	Srettha Thavisin Himself (acting) Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Preceded by	Jurin Laksanawisit
Succeeded by	Pichai Naripthaphan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Acting 28 April 2024 – 30 April 2024
Prime Minister	Srettha Thavisin
Preceded by	Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara
Succeeded by	Maris Sangiampongsa
Deputy Minister of Transport
In office 11 March 2005 – 19 September 2006
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
Personal details
Born	(1953-12-05) 5 December 1953 (age 71) Phasi Charoen, Bangkok, Thailand
Political party	Pheu Thai
Other political affiliations	Thai Rak Thai (1998–2007) Democrat (1977–1997) Communist (1976–1977)
Spouse	Apinaya Wechayachai ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	3
Education	Chulalongkorn University National Defence College
Occupation	Businessman politician
Signature
Nickname	Uan (อ้วน)
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Volunteer Defense Corps
Years of service	1969–2004
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	Communist insurgency in Thailand

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.

Political career

Phumtham as Deputy Prime Minister in 2023

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.

Phumtham worked as an advisor to the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before being appointed Deputy Minister of Transport in the Thaksin II cabinet.

Following the 2006 coup d'état, Phumtham was banned from political office for five years. Returning to politics, Phumtham served as Secretary-General and Deputy Leader of Pheu Thai Party from 2012 to 2023.

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.^[3]

On 14 August 2024, Phumtham was appointed acting Prime Minister of Thailand following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court.^[4][5]

In March 2025, Phumtham held a meeting with Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui regarding Thailand’s deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China.^[6]

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.^[7]

Royal decorations

• 2024 – Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand^[8]
• 2008 – Knight Grand Cross (First Class) The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant^[9]

Notes

1. Shinawatra has been suspended by the Constitutional Court from 1 July 2025.