Politics
Thai Cabinet Appoints New Director for National Reform Office
The Thai Cabinet has approved the appointment of Police Colonel Watanyu Witayaphalothai as the new Director of the Office of National Reform, Strategy, and Reconciliation (P.Y.P.).
On August 5, 2026, the Thai Cabinet officially approved the appointment of Police Colonel Watanyu Witayaphalothai, widely known as 'Phu-Kam Nui,' to the position of Director of the Office of National Reform, Strategy, and Reconciliation (P.Y.P.). According to reports from Khaosod Online, Colonel Watanyu previously served as the Deputy Director of the same office, a role he transitioned into after moving from the Royal Thai Police to the civil service in November 2025.
Colonel Watanyu is a notable figure in Thai political circles, having served as a close security detail for the Shinawatra family for many years. His service spans from the tenure of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra through to the current administration led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
For residents and expatriates in Thailand, this appointment highlights ongoing administrative shifts within the government’s strategic reform bodies. While the P.Y.P. office focuses on long-term national strategy and reconciliation, the appointment of a figure with deep ties to the current ruling family underscores the continuity of personnel within the administration. At this stage, the specific policy priorities Colonel Watanyu will pursue in his new capacity as Director remain to be confirmed, as the office continues its mandate under the current government framework.