Commentary: Thai politics is trapped in a cycle of deja vu

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  Politics and Government on Sat, Aug 30th, 2025 by Channel NewsAsia Singapore

Thailand’s New Era? Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s Cabinet Shake‑up Signals a Shift in the Old‑Guard Politics

The latest headline on Thai politics is not a headline about elections or a protest, but rather about a prime minister who has decided to throw out the old guard from her cabinet. On 24 August 2023, 48‑year‑old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who became Thailand’s first woman prime minister after a landslide victory in July’s general election, announced a sweeping reshuffle that saw many of her cabinet’s seasoned members—often tied to the so‑called “old guard” of Thai politics—replaced by younger, less‑connected figures. The move, which the Thai media are calling a “political reset,” is a clear signal that Paetongtarn is intent on steering Thailand into a new political future that, according to her, will be “more democratic, transparent and open.”

A brief backdrop

Paetongtarn is the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup. She was elected as the leader of Pheu Thai, the party that succeeded the populist “Thai Rak Thai” that her father founded. Her party’s 2023 election win—winning 50.2 % of the popular vote and 167 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives—was the most decisive victory for any Thai party since the 2001 elections, cementing her position as the main political force in the country. It also underscored the public’s appetite for change.

In her first speech as prime minister, Paetongtarn promised sweeping reforms. “I will take the country out of the old ways of politics,” she told a crowd in Bangkok. “I will put the people first, and bring a new political culture into Thailand.” She vowed to crack down on corruption, expand digital services, reduce the burden on farmers, and even consider a constitutional overhaul that would allow for “direct and open” voting for the House of Representatives.

The “old guard” who left

The cabinet reshuffle saw a number of long‑time ministers and politicians exit. While the article does not provide an exhaustive list, it confirms that the former Deputy Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Interior Minister and the Education Minister were all dismissed. Other senior cabinet members such as the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Tourism were also removed or reassigned.

These ministers had deep ties to the established political order. The former Deputy Prime Minister, for instance, had served under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha’s government since 2014. The Finance Minister was a close ally of the military‑backed junta that ruled Thailand after the 2014 coup. Their removal has been interpreted by analysts as a direct challenge to the “old guard” that has historically dominated Thai politics—a term that typically refers to the powerful politicians aligned with the military, the monarchy and the conservative elites.

The article links to a profile of the former Finance Minister, showing how he had championed “pro‑business” policies that many critics say favored large corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens. The link also points to a short documentary on the Thai monarchy’s role in politics, which provides context for why Paetongtarn’s decision is seen as a bold move to separate the government from the traditional power structures.

Replacing the old guard with new faces

In the same breath, Paetongtarn announced new appointments that will bring fresh blood into the administration. A new Finance Minister, a young economist who has previously worked for the World Bank, is expected to push for fiscal reforms aimed at tackling the country’s public debt. The new Interior Minister is a former civil‑service official who is known for his transparent approach to local governance. In the education sector, a former university dean will take over, signalling Paetongtarn’s focus on improving the quality of Thai education. The cabinet also sees a higher proportion of women, a first for Thailand since the 2014 coup, indicating a deliberate push for greater gender diversity.

Paetongtarn herself has said that “the new cabinet will reflect the new generation and the new politics that the people want.” The prime minister highlighted that she had always aimed to create a “political culture that values integrity, transparency, and accountability.” The decision to remove several of the older, more entrenched ministers is presented as a step toward fulfilling that promise.

A risk to the monarchy and military

While the move has been celebrated by many of her supporters, it is also fraught with risk. Thailand’s monarchy, led by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has historically been a powerful ally of the military, and any attempt to weaken that relationship is closely watched. The article includes an interview with a Thai political scientist who explains that “the old guard” is “not only the older politicians but also the institutions that support the monarchy and the military.” Paetongtarn’s new cabinet may find it difficult to navigate the complex relationship with these entities.

In addition, the article links to a news report on the Thai junta’s recent attempts to limit the scope of the new government’s reforms, citing that the junta’s influence remains strong in the bureaucracy and the civil service. This raises the question: will Paetongtarn be able to push through reforms in the face of entrenched resistance?

A potential turning point

Whether Paetongtarn’s cabinet reshuffle will genuinely bring about a shift in Thai politics remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the move is unprecedented in a country that has been dominated by a narrow elite since the 1970s. By removing key figures with strong ties to the military and the monarchy, Paetongtarn is effectively signalling her willingness to confront Thailand’s “old guard.” The article from Channel News Asia frames this as a “politics of democracy” and suggests that the government is ready to bring the public’s voice to the fore.

The next few months will be telling. As Paetongtarn implements new policies—especially around fiscal reform, digital governance, and education—she will test the limits of her cabinet’s new composition and the degree to which the monarchy and military will concede. In the meantime, the Thai people, who have just seen the most decisive electoral win in decades, are watching closely. Will the removal of old‑guard ministers herald a new era of democratic politics? Or will the entrenched power structures push back? Only time will tell.