Thailand’s top economic team resigns

 Thailand’s long-standing economic policy team celebrated the first anniversary of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s cabinet with resignation letters instead of a birthday card, heralding a looming shake-up in the former army chief’s governance of the Southeast Asian country.

Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, Energy Minister Sonthirat Sontijirawong and Suvit Maesincee, the higher education and science minister, announced their resignations at Government House on Thursday, ending their role in the country’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak did not appear, but his resignation letter was submitted to his fellow ministers.

“We’ve made a decision ourselves,” Uttama said of the move to step down. “We were not forced to resign. Our resignation is intended to reduce political pressure on the prime minister and clear the way for a cabinet reshuffle.”

On July 9, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and Higher Education, Science and Innovations Minister Suvit Maesincee said they were leaving the party that leads the government coalition.