“Supajee” defends appointment of “Deputy PM Advisors”, Says not funded by state budget

Today (April 10, 2026) at 2:43 PM at the Parliament building, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthamphan addressed the issue of asking Mr. Veerapong Prapha, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, to join her advisory group. She claimed that this was owing to his broad expertise and abilities, particularly his experience as a trade representative supporting Thailand in negotiating trade accords with the EU and FTA during the previous government, which remains incomplete and is still ongoing.

Ms. Supajee stated that she noticed his accomplishments and abilities, which is why she approached him. She highlighted that it makes no difference whose party he belongs to, as she has already expressed her wish to see results. If the job is useful, there is no need to start from scratch; the previous work will be completed. This will take happening in June. There will be a ninth round of negotiations with the EU, and we want it to be decisive and final because we don't have time to start over. I appreciate those who want to help, but the procedure is presently underway. I am not yet completely appointed as Deputy Prime Minister because the government has recently given its policy declaration to Parliament. They offered their support. Following this, there will be a qualification verification process. But we've already started working, and we don't make distinctions based on party allegiance; it's irrelevant. This is an important time for us to act rapidly since our country is in crisis, and we want to build on great experiences.

Ms. Supajee went on to say that she had approached a number of other brilliant persons for help. Importantly, these are unpaid positions. Everyone who has come to help is committed. Many of them have made important contributions, have extensive experience, and possess exceptional skills. She wanted to clarify this to avoid misunderstandings, as some believe she has a vast budget. Everyone is assisting her, and the persons functioning as advisors to the Deputy Prime Minister are experts in practically every sector. The current problem has multiple elements, including trade, security, and geopolitics, which are all intertwined. As such, we require assistance from individuals with a wide range of expertise.

When asked about asking people to join the team were Ms. Supajee's personal contacts used? Ms. Supajee remarked that it was a matter of intention, with many individuals wanting to assist, and not because of her.

The panel of economic and trade experts approached to serve as advisors to the Deputy Prime Minister comprises distinguished individuals from various fields, including Mr. Veerasak Kowsurat, former Minister of Tourism and Sports; Dr. Kobsak Pootrakul, Senior Vice President, Company Secretary and Executive Director, Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited; Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director, ASEAN Foundation, Jakarta; Mr. Nat Luangnarumitchai, capital market expert from the Stock Exchange of Thailand; Dr. Yanyong Thaicharoen, Chief Economist, Chief Research Officer for Economic and Sustainability, Economic and Business Research Center, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB EIC), and former Director of Monetary Policy, Bank of Thailand.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arm Tangnirandorn, Director of the China Studies Center, Institute of Asian Studies; and Dr. Pipat Luangnarumitchai, Managing Director. The Chief Economist of Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group, Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited; Mr. Phusit Rattanagul Serirengrit, former Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce; Mr. Anan Lapsuksatit, President of K Agro Innovate Institute and expert in agriculture and agricultural processing.

The Deputy Prime Minister also invited Ms. Nongnuch Petcharat, former Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Chutinthorn Kongsak, former Ambassador to New Delhi, and Mr. Veerapong Prapha, former Thai Trade Representative to the European Union, to join the Thailand Trade Representatives.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong