Shadow Cabinet of Thailand
The Shadow Cabinet of Thailand is an unofficial group of senior opposition party's spokespeople who form an alternative cabinet to the government. The shadow cabinet members shadow or mark each individual member of the government. After the People's Power Party's win in the 2007 general election, the Democrat Party became the sole official opposition party. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, expressed his intention to set up a shadow cabinet to track the new administration's performance, to propose better solutions, and to provide the Democrat's standpoint on each government decision. The shadow cabinet line-up was announced on February 8, 2008 after the Samak's administration had officially assumed office. On the 15 December 2008, Abhisit was elected by the House of Representatives to become the next Prime Minister, within a week a Cabinet will be formed which will include many members his Shadow Cabinet. However a day later the Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan stated that his party will not be forming a Shadow Cabinet.
Although the Leader of the Opposition is an officially appointed position, the shadow cabinet currently bears no legal status. Since May 2014, the Democrat Party has been the Opposition, and its leadership therefore forms the current Shadow Cabinet.
Members of the Shadow Cabinet
Abhisit Vejjajiva's Shadow Cabinet, active from 6 September 2011 - 7 May 2014.Ministry | Shadow Minister | Shadow Deputy Minister |
Leader of the Opposition | Abhisit Vejjajiva | |
Shadow Deputy Prime Minister | Korn Chatikavanij Chamni Sakdiset Kasit Piromya Kiat Sittheeamorn | |
Shadow Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister | Thepthai Senapong Peerapan Saleeratthavipak Sathit Pitutecha | |
Shadow Minister of Defence | Abhisit Vejjajiva | |
Shadow Minister of Finance | Juti Krairiksh | Sansern Samalapa |
Shadow Minister of Interior | Suthep Thaugsuban | Nipit Intarasombat Che-aming Tohtayong |
Shadow Minister of Transport | Vitoon Nambutr | Samart Ratchapolsitte |
Shadow Minister of Tourism and Sports | Anchalee Wanit Teppabut | Naraphat Kaewthong |
Shadow Minister of Social Development and Human Security | Issara Somchai | |
Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs | Ong-Art Klampaiboon | |
Shadow Minister of Justice | Thaworn Senniam | |
Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives | Chinnaworn Boonyakiat | Wirat Romyen Nipon Boonyamanee |
Shadow Minister of Public Health | Witthaya Kaewparadai | |
Shadow Minister of Digital Economy and Society | Sirichok Sopha | |
Shadow Minister of Science and Technology | Kalaya Sophonpanich | |
Shadow Minister of Natural Resource and Environment | Sathit Wongnongtoey | |
Shadow Minister of Energy | Alongkorn Pollabutr | Chalermchai Sri-on |
Shadow Minister of Commerce | Apirak Kosayodhin | Warong Dechgitvigrom |
Shadow Minister of Culture | Teera Slukpetch | |
Shadow Minister of Education | Kanok Wongtrangan | Siriwan Pratsajaksatru |
Shadow Minister of Industry | Chaiwut Bannawat | |
Shadow Secretariat of the Prime Minister | Jurin Laksanawisit | Buranat Samutarak |
Shadow Spokesperson | Attawit Suwanpakdee | Rachada Dhanadirek |