The Shadow Cabinet of Thailand (Thai: คณะรัฐมนตรีเงา or รัฐบาลเงา) is an unofficial group of senior opposition party's spokespeople who form an alternative cabinet to the government. The shadow cabinet members shadow or mark each individual member of the government. Although the Leader of the Opposition is an officially appointed position, the shadow cabinet currently bears no legal status.[1], shadow cabinets have only been formed twice, both times by the Democrat Party.
After the People's Power Party's victory in the 2007 general election, the Democrat Party became the sole official opposition party. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, expressed his intention to set up a shadow cabinet to track the new administration's performance, to propose better solutions, and to provide the Democrat's standpoint on each government decision.[2] The shadow cabinet line-up was announced on February 8, 2008 after the Samak's administration had officially assumed office. On 15 December 2008, Abhisit was elected by the House of Representatives to become the next Prime Minister, with many of the members of his new cabinet drawn from the shadow cabinet. A day later, the main opposition Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan stated that his party would not be forming a shadow cabinet.[3] After the 2011 elections, the Pheu Thai Party won the election under the leadership of Yingluck Shinawatra, and the Democrat Party was once again the main opposition party with Abhisit as its leader, which led to the formation of a second shadow cabinet by Abhisit.
Abhisit Vejjajiva's 2nd shadow cabinet, active from 6 September 2011 - 7 May 2014.[4]
| width=450 | Ministry | width=350 | Shadow Minister | width=380 | Shadow Deputy Minister |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition | |||||
| Shadow Deputy Prime Minister | Korn Chatikavanij Chamni Sakdiset Kasit Piromya Kiat Sittheeamorn | ||||
| Shadow Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister | Thepthai Senapong Peerapan Saleeratthavipak Sathit Pitutecha | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Defence | |||||
| Shadow Minister of Finance | Juti Krairiksh | Sansern Samalapa | |||
| Shadow Minister of Interior | Suthep Thaugsuban | Nipit Intarasombat Che-aming Tohtayong | |||
| Shadow Minister of Transport | Vitoon Nambutr | Samart Ratchapolsitte | |||
| Shadow Minister of Tourism and Sports | Anchalee Wanit Teppabut | Naraphat Kaewthong | |||
| Shadow Minister of Social Development and Human Security | Issara Somchai | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs | Ong-Art Klampaiboon | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Justice | Thaworn Senniam | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives | Chinnaworn Boonyakiat | Wirat Romyen Nipon Boonyamanee | |||
| Shadow Minister of Public Health | Witthaya Kaewparadai | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Digital Economy and Society | Sirichok Sopha | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Science and Technology | Kalaya Sophonpanich | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Natural Resource and Environment | Sathit Wongnongtoey | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Energy | Alongkorn Pollabutr | Chalermchai Sri-on | |||
| Shadow Minister of Commerce | Apirak Kosayodhin | Warong Dechgitvigrom | |||
| Shadow Minister of Culture | Teera Slukpetch | ||||
| Shadow Minister of Education | Kanok Wongtrangan | Siriwan Pratsajaksatru | |||
| Shadow Minister of Industry | Chaiwut Bannawat | ||||
| Shadow Secretariat of the Prime Minister | Jurin Laksanawisit | Buranat Samutarak | |||
| Shadow Spokesperson | Attawit Suwanpakdee | Rachada Dhanadirek |