Thai King Approves New Cabinet, Appoints Srettha as Finance Minister

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has approved a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, ending months of political deadlock. Srettha, who was also confirmed as the Finance Minister, was the sole candidate put forward by the populist Pheu Thai Party, which received the second largest number of votes in the May election. The move comes after the progressive Move Forward party's efforts to form a government were thwarted by the country's political elites.