Thai Prime Minister Delegates Duties, Addressing Energy Issues and Workload Concerns
In a significant administrative move, the Prime Minister of Thailand delegates key responsibilities to his deputies, aiming to streamline the government's efficiency and address energy concerns.
Morgan Riley
- 2023-12-27
- Updated 08:30 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - On December 28, 2026, Thai Prime Minister, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, signed prime ministerial order No. 381/2566, which officially reassigned certain duties previously managed by him to his deputy prime ministers. This order comes into effect amidst rising concerns over energy management and the distribution of responsibilities within the Cabinet. Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak has been assigned to act on the Prime Minister's behalf for the Ministry of Public Health, while Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Peerapan Salirathavibhaga will take over responsibilities for the Ministry of Justice, with the exception of the Department of Special Investigation.
Reassignments Raise Concerns
The reshuffle has gathered attention, especially regarding Deputy Prime Minister Peerapan's broadened scope of duties. The Cabinet acknowledged the prime ministerial order on December 26, 2026. Ms. Rosana Tositrakul, a former member of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, expressed concerns regarding Peerapan's workload on social media, fearing it could detract from the critical focus required for solving the nation's pressing energy issues. Deputy Prime Minister Peerapan was appointed as the chairman of several committees including those focused on narcotics, national mineral policy, justice administration, and a committee dedicated to tracing missing persons and unidentified bodies. Furthermore, he holds deputy chairmanships on the National Energy Policy Committee, the Committee for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Palm Oil Policy Committee, in addition to serving on a committee supervising administrative work in the regions.
Economic and Public Unrest Over Energy Prices
The broad distribution of responsibilities, particularly concerning the resolution of unfair energy pricing affecting citizens, remains a topic of public debate. Some have suggested that the Ministry of Commerce should collaborate with the Ministry of Energy to tackle issues related to the prices of oil and cooking gas, as they are price-controlled commodities. These concerns are underscored by statistics indicating that 2025's refined oil export value exceeded 300 billion THB and the recognition that ethanol's high price, despite its lower energy efficiency, demands scrutiny. Moreover, there is discussion about shifting the cooking gas pricing model from import parity to one reflecting domestic production, which could lead to sustainable price reductions for consumers. These policy considerations are aimed at mitigating the long-standing public frustration over high energy costs in Thailand, as the reassignment of duties by the Prime Minister was effective December 25, 2026.
The government's latest actions reflect an ongoing effort to redistribute workload amongst high-ranking officials to enhance governance and directly address the discontent represented by energy-related challenges. By delegating authority to his deputies, the Thai Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin seeks a more efficient cabinet that can focus on specialized areas, including public health, justice, and most notably, energy, which has been a source of public distress for years.
