In the allocation of cabinet minister quotas for the new government taking shape amid negotiations between the Bhumjaithai Party as the leader and the key ally Pheu Thai Party, one name mentioned as suitable is "Somsak Thepsuthin," a seasoned politician with over four decades in politics who has never been in opposition even once.
Reports indicate that Pheu Thai, expected to receive five ministerial quotas, has nominated Somsak to serve as Minister of Labor, hoping he will resolve issues in the social security system, which is facing a crisis of confidence due to changes in the election rules for insured representatives, questionable investment value such as in the Skyy9 building and TU Dome, and the use of fund money to renovate the Ministry of Labor cafeteria.
Choosing Somsak can be understood to some extent because after he had "faced fire" during his time as Minister of Public Health in the Pheu Thai government, Somsak exercised his authority asa special councilor "vetoed" the Medical Council's decision to punish three doctors involved in transferring Thaksin Shinawatra to the 14th floor of the Police Hospital.
Somsak reasoned that the decision lacked clarity and called for fairness for the doctors, insisting there was no intimidation or orders from anyone. Although the Medical Council eventually overturned his veto and upheld the original resolution, that incident showed us the image of "Somsak facing fire" a man unafraid to confront professional bodies like the Medical Council. This courage is believed by some to be a key tool in managing the Social Security Office, which is currently caught in conflict between the insured representatives and the administration.
However, this momentum triggered a backlash from the Bhumjaithai Party, the coalition leader, which did not approve Somsak's nomination and expressed a desire for Pheu Thai to propose "a young person" to serve as Minister of Labor instead.
To understand Somsak Thepsuthin, one must look back at his long political career. Somsak exemplifies a "veteran" politician, having served ten terms as a Member of Parliament for Sukhothai Province and held ministerial posts in various administrations and ministries—from Deputy Minister of Transport under Chuan Leekpai and Banharn Silpa-archa, to Minister of Public Health under General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, and Minister of Justice under General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
More interesting than his official positions is his "record" that he takes pride in: he has never been in opposition throughout his political life. Somsak has consistently "read the political winds" accurately, allowing him to always choose the winning side. Even when he was banned from politics due to his role as an executive member of the Thai Rak Thai Party in 2006, he remained a "strategist" providing guidance behind the scenes for the Matchima Thipatai Party.
His skill in reading political directions was again noted in 2019 when he joined the Palang Pracharath Party and openly stated, "This constitution is designed for us." This phrase reflects his understanding of the political mechanisms under the 2017 Constitution, which was crafted to perpetuate the power of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Naturally, the Palang Pracharath Party became the leading party in forming the government, as many had predicted correctly.
Although Somsak won by choosing the right side, he never returned to the ministry he most yearned for: the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, where he hoped to successfully promote the "Clone Cow" policy. Since his departure from the cabinet during the Thai Rak Thai era, he has never reclaimed that seat, only coming close at times. Thus, returning as Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives remains a dream for this man known as never having been in opposition. Certainly, the government formation after the 8 February 2026 election marks a crucial turning point in Thai politics because Bhumjaithai won 193 seats, while Pheu Thai—which descends from Thai Rak Thai and Palang Prachachon parties—secured only 74 seats, becoming the third-largest party and suffering a second consecutive electoral defeat.
With Pheu Thai allocated five ministries, including Agriculture and Cooperatives, questions arise about how Pheu Thai will handle crises in these ministries, especially the Ministry of Labor, which has 24 million insured persons. This is a question worth asking and an answer eagerly awaited.