Bangkok: The press corps at Government House has decided not to assign the traditional nicknames to the current caretaker government, commonly referred to as the "Anutin government," following the dissolution of parliament by the Prime Minister.
According to Thai News Agency, Government House reporters issued a statement clarifying their decision to forgo the annual practice of assigning nicknames to the government, prime minister, and ministers for 2025. The statement explained that the decision was made due to the government's current status as a caretaker administration, a position it holds after the Prime Minister dissolved the House of Representatives.
The reporters discussed the long-standing practice of refraining from giving nicknames to caretaker governments, those that have yet to complete a year in office due to political changes, those established through coups, and those existing amid political instability. They expressed concerns that nicknames could be politically exploited or used to create conflict during the lead-up to democratic elections, potentially serving as tools for one political side or another.
Government House reporters expressed hope that the tradition of bestowing nicknames to reflect the performance of the government, the prime minister, and ministers would resume after the election and the establishment of a democratically elected government in 2026.
The practice of refraining from assigning nicknames is not without precedent. Previous instances include the government of General Surayud Chulanont in 2006-2007, Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat, and Abhisit Vejjajiva in 2008 due to governmental changes, Yingluck Shinawatra in 2013 following the dissolution of parliament, and General Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2014 and 2018 under circumstances of political instability or abnormal situations.