Parnpree decides to quit as foreign minister in wake of new cabinet lineup

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

IN WHAT APPEARED to be a quiet protest, Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara has decided to resign as foreign minister with immediate effect as of today (Apr. 28) in the wake of a new cabinet lineup.

Parnpree confirmed he has already written a letter of resignation as foreign minister personally addressed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and dated today but it has not been handed to him as yet.

Parnpree’s assured decision to call it quits as foreign minister apparently followed the latest event in which the position of deputy prime minister in charge of international affairs which he had assumed in concurrent fashion was removed, leaving him only with the foreign minister portfolio.

The former Pheu Thai-attached foreign minister declined to say whether he may have been so displeased at the new cabinet lineup in which he would otherwise have to do without the seat of deputy prime minister which definitely deals with international trade and geopolitical issues as well as international affairs pertaining to Thai workers being employed overseas and cross-border refugees.

Parnpree said he had worked hard to meet the Pheu Thai-led government’s goals of promoting Thailand’s roles in the world community with respect to those international affairs.

Known as a member of the fourth generation of Rajakhru clan, Parnpree is a grandson-in-law to the late former prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan, one of whose grandchildren is Move Forward MP Tisana Choonhavan.

Panpree, whose spouse Paveena Hongprapat is a granddaughter of Chatichai’s, was named Thailand Trade Representative in the time of former prime minister/now de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict on parole Thaksin Shinawatra.

He was also named chairman of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand’s board of directors in the time of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

CAPTIONS:

Top: Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, right, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, left.

Front Page: File photo of Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara. Both images: Thai Rath

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