Deputy Prime Minister Bawornsak Uwanno said there is no problem following the petition against Anutin Charnvirakul regarding the allegedly improper appointment of Thammanat Prompao, noting that Thammanat is no longer a minister. He added the Prime Minister has not yet consulted him on this issue and disclosed he has not been approached to serve again as deputy prime minister.
At 16:00 on 26 Feb 2026 GMT+7 Deputy Prime Minister Bawornsak Uwanno gave an interview at the Government House regarding Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul requesting advice on verifying the qualifications of the new cabinet ministers. Bawornsak said there has been no such request yet, but this responsibility lies with the Secretariat of the Cabinet, which must submit the names of those to serve for eligibility checks against disqualifications. Currently, the checks have expanded to more than nine agencies, including the judiciary, administrative courts, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Police Security Command, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO).
Regarding the question whether individuals with potential risks should be excluded from ministerial appointments, Bawornsak said that the term 'potential risk' needs clarification. However, if a person has a disqualifying characteristic, it is not a matter of risk but rather ineligibility. A reporter further asked if the petition against the Prime Minister concerning an improper ministerial appointment is now resolved. Bawornsak replied that the constitution stipulates disqualifications only while a person holds office, so once they leave the position, the issue no longer applies.
Meanwhile, Bawornsak also addressed media interest in the rulings involving former Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and former Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodson, stating the court ordered the review for public benefit. Their actions while in ministerial office do not constitute interference with the justice process.Read the full Constitutional Court ruling)
The reporter then asked again if the Prime Minister's appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat Prompao as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives is now considered settled. Bawornsak replied that Thammanat no longer holds the ministerial position. Regarding whether Anutin has invited him to return as deputy prime minister, Bawornsak said not yet, as the cabinet has not been fully confirmed. He noted that such reports are mostly from the media. When asked if he would be willing to continue working, Bawornsak said he does not know and has not speculated.