2 deputy interior ministers test positive for Covid-19
Returning Songsak Thongsri and newcomer Sabeeda Thaised will need to wait for separate swearing-in session under royal command
Incoming deputy interior ministers Songsak Thongsri and Sabeeda Thaised tested positive for Covid-19 after taking the mandatory RT-PCR test at Government House on Thursday, a government source said.
Both hail from Bhumjaithai Party. Songsak has held this post since 2019, while Sabeeda, the daughter of outgoing deputy interior minister Chada Thaised, is a first-timer.
The source said the two will need to wait until they have kicked the infection and attend a separate swearing-in ceremony.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and 33 members of Cabinet who tested negative for Covid-19 will be granted an audience by His Majesty the King at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall at 6.15pm on Friday. There they will take an oath of allegiance to the King.
The source added that the Government House had also postponed the shooting of group photos of the new PM and her Cabinet members. The shoot was initially scheduled for Saturday at the front lawn of the Thai Khu Fah Building in the Government House complex.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who leads the Bhumjaithai Party, said Songsak and Sabeeda will not start working until they are sworn in, and the next swearing-in session will depend on royal command.
Anutin, who is also deputy premier, said that he will work on their behalf in the meantime, as it is his responsibility to supervise the ministry.
When asked which tasks he would assign to Thirarat Samretwanich, the only deputy interior minister who is not from the Bhumjaithai Party, Anutin said since Thirarat is a Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok, she should be responsible for supervising the capital.
The division of tasks and responsibilities will be officially announced after the PM presents the policy statement at Parliament next week, Anutin said.
