BANGKOK, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's cabinet on Thursday agreed to appoint Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai as acting prime minister, following the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Phumtham, who is listed as the first acting prime minister, will possess the same authority and responsibilities as the prime minister, the Thai government said in a statement issued after new cabinet members were sworn into office.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who previously took the role as acting prime minister, was named as the second acting prime minister.

Paetongtarn, who was previously appointed to double as culture minister in the cabinet reshuffle, has been suspended from performing her prime ministerial duties by a constitutional court order pending an ethics investigation.

A group of 36 senators last month petitioned the court seeking Paetongtarn's dismissal from office, accusing her of serious ethical violations linked to a leaked telephone conversation over border issues with Cambodia. ■