Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam will be in charge as acting justice minister and deputy Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin as acting education minister, following the resignations of ministers from the two ministries after they were appointed as Privy Council members.
The decision to place them in acting capacities was made by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who has ruled out an immediate cabinet reshuffle.
Gen Paiboon Koomchaya, the former justice minister, and Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan, the former education minister, left the cabinet after His Majesty the King appointed them to the Privy Council. Gen Paiboon and Gen Dapong are among three new members who have been given seats on the council.
Gen Prayut said he trusts Mr Wissanu and Mr Teerakiat will be able to handle the work and conduct their jobs effectively.
During the weekly cabinet meeting, the prime minister said he does not want anyone to be worried about changes in the cabinet, according to government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd.
As for the timing of the next cabinet reshuffle, Gen Prayut said: "I'll make the decision in good time." He dismissed rumours a cabinet reshuffle list has been finalised and is ready to be forwarded to the palace for royal endorsement.
The premier also insisted a military background is not the first priority in considering who will be cabinet ministers, saying he wants people who can work.
Gen Prayut added he was generally satisfied with the performance of cabinet members. He said Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong is doing well in his role as acting Digital Economy and Society Minister and so is Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya.
The prime minister has denied Gen Chatchai is facing a transfer.
Lt Gen Sansern said Gen Prayut told the cabinet meeting that if any cabinet ministers wish to take a break from their ministerial duties, they should let the cabinet secretary-general know.
Meanwhile, the newly-appointed Privy Councillor Gen Dapong went to the Education Ministry yesterday to pay respects to the ministry's Buddha statute and the statute of King Rama VI as well as to bid farewell to officials he has worked with for over a year.
He said he believed his successor can succeed in the job with the help of ministry staff who have proved to be capable during his term, adding efforts to reform national education will go ahead smoothly.