Thailand's economic wizard throws in the towel

Former deputy PM Somkid falls victim to ruling-party infighting

20200827 Thailand Somkid RTS16Z7D.JPG

Thailand's former Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak in Bangkok on June 14, 2017. © Reuters

TORU TAKAHASHI, Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Headquarters for Asia

BANGKOK -- Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, facing criticism against his draconian rule, replaced six economy-related ministers on Aug. 12 in a bid to jump-start the county's pandemic-battered economy.

The prime minister replaced members from the academic sector with former business executives. Newly appointed finance minister Predee Daochai is a former president of Kasikornbank and energy minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow was formerly chief of PTT Global Chemical, the largest petrochemical company in Thailand.

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