Call for ministers to do their job

With a range of external factors weighing on the Thai economy, some business leaders are pushing for a cabinet reshuffle to revive the country's prospects

- Lamonphet Apisitniran, Phusadee Arunmas, and Molpasorn Shoowong

Clouded by several negative factors, including uncertainty stemming from unresolved negotiations with the US on tariff hikes, the Thai economy is likely to miss the government's forecast of 3% growth this year.

Last week, the situation became more worrisome as Moody's Investors Service became the first global credit ratings agency to revise its outlook on Thailand to negative.

This prompted the business sector to push for stronger action from the cabinet — or even a cabinet reshuffle, particularly in the economic ministries, which have delivered results that are below expectations.

CONTINUITY NEEDED

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said it is not the right time for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reshuffle her cabinet as incumbent ministers overseeing economic affairs need to carry on their jobs with Thailand facing internal and external challenges.

One important task the ministers must complete is negotiations with the Donald Trump administration after it imposed a 36% tariff on Thai goods in response to trade imbalances between the two countries, said Mr Kriengkrai.

Several countries including Thailand were given a 90-day pause from enforcement of the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set to take effect on April 9, in order to negotiate with the US.

"Thailand is in an uncertain position and the country needs to continue negotiations on this complicated issue with no interruptions," he said.

If the Thai government needs to change cabinet members, it can do so after the negotiations are complete, said Mr Kriengkrai.

"We don’t want the government to make changes and start things over. That would be a waste of time," he said.

Mr Kriengkrai said the ministers in charge of economic issues are capable of dealing with a range of problems.