Balcony Collapse at Chiang Mai Resort, Foreign Minister’s Sudden Departure after Cabinet Shuffle

A balcony at Rommai Reunngam Resort in Chiang Mai, Thailand collapsed on February 4, 2024 while a group posed for photographs (Viral Press). Separately, Thailand’s foreign minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nugara unexpectedly resigned due to his removal as one of the country’s deputy prime ministers during a recent Cabinet reshuffle. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed this news and stated that he respected the decision while also apologizing for any inconvenience caused by it, thanking Parnpree for his work in service to Thailand thus far. He continued to state that since some people are likely bound to have disagreements with changes made during a reshuffle, it is not uncommon; nonetheless he promised a replacement would be sought and named shortly without disclosing further details about the timeline of this process. Parnpree’s resignation letter was circulated by media outlets on Sunday after Srettha announced his first Cabinet shuffle since taking office less than one year ago, which also saw Prime Minister Srettha lose his position as finance minister and replaced with former Bangchak chairman and Stock Exchange of Thailand chair Pichai Chunhavajira. This new appointee was simultaneously named a deputy prime minister by the premier during this reshuffle process.