Former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara is set to return to the Foreign Affairs Ministry as chief adviser to the minister, says a ministry source.
Mr Parnpree will work with Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, reviving a long-standing partnership.
The two previously served together on an advisory team at Phitsanulok House during the administration of former prime minister Gen Chatichai Choonhavan, and later worked again under the Srettha Thavisin government, when Mr Parnpree was deputy prime minister and foreign minister and Mr Sihasak served as an assistant minister at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Their earlier collaboration was associated with a more proactive Thai foreign policy, including humanitarian efforts for Myanmar, Thailand's push to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), assistance for Thai nationals taken hostage in Israel by Hamas, and the promotion of economic diplomacy.
The source said Mr Parnpree's appointment is expected to strengthen the ministry, particularly in economic diplomacy -- an area in which he has extensive expertise and which is also a key priority for Mr Sihasak.
The new cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, with the government policy statement to parliament set for April 9-10.
Meanwhile, sources said Santitarn Sathirathai, a former economist at Credit Suisse Group AG, has resigned from the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Thailand to prepare for a role as assistant minister attached to the Finance Ministry in the new government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Mr Santitarn, whose MPC term was due to end in October, is expected to start this week.
