Cabinet Reshuffle This Weekend

[Jai Dee]

Cabinet reshuffle this weekend

PM tipped to appoint several new deputies for security, election, etc

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont was expected to reshuffle his Cabinet this weekend to shore up the government's image and stability after its job approval rating dropped to a point where there were doubts over its survival, a source said yesterday.

Surayud was expected to add at least three more ministers to the new Cabinet line-up to fast-track work and solve problems that are plaguing the country.

The current Cabinet ministers, including his economic team are expected to continue in their posts.

General Watanachai Chaimuanwong, a senior adviser to the PM, is expected to be made a deputy PM overseeing internal security, the crisis in the South, political rallies and protests.

Watanachai is well qualified, as he has been working in the field for a long period and is equipped with information and working teams to support him. He also gets along well with the Council for National Security.

Surayud is also expected to appoint a deputy Interior Minister to help oversee the election being held at the end of the year, plus a deputy Agriculture Minister to help negotiate with protesting farmers.

Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general, Suriyasai Katasila said a Cabinet reshuffle was a must for the government's survival and urged Surayud to come up with a major reshuffle so that the government could make major progress on the problems the country faces.

He suggested ministers should work in teams as they may function much better. "A team to solve the problems in the South, a team to reform media, reform politics, and an economic team," he said.

"A minor reshuffle would be seen as attempt to buy time until the election is held. The PM should use this opportunity to exercise his leadership, or he will lose his only chance," he said.

Suriyasai believes politics will see more intense fighting among four groups: the People's Alliance for Democracy; those loyal to the former PM Thaksin; those ready to give the government a chance; and those opposed to both Thaksin and the CNS.

"The conflicts among these four groups are widening and developing toward confrontation stage as political circumstances reach a breaking point because of corruption investigations, court decisions on party dissolution, the draft of the new constitution and attempts to hold on to power," he said.

He believed the government was fast loosing support of both the lower and middle classes after failing to shore up business confidence. For a large base of the population, or farmers, if Surayud's government adjusted its strategy to take care of their problems, it was unlikely this group would shake the government's stability.

"The middle class is actually the deciding factor. They have shown disappointment and dissatisfaction with the government's economic performance," Suriyasai said.

Meanwhile, more than half of respondents surveyed by a Dusit Poll support a Cabinet reshuffle.

The survey interviewed some 5,173 respondents in Bangkok and 28 provinces from April 11 until today. Of the total, 57 per cent said it was time to reshuffle the Cabinet because ministers had worked too slowly and had made few concrete achievements.

However 40 per cent wanted only a small reshuffle because the government had not much time left in office.

Source: The Nation - 18 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Surayud unveils reshuffle plan

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Wednesday unveiled a plan for a new Cabinet lineup designed to speed up work for the second half of his one-year term in office.

"Some ministries have a heavy workload with broad responsibilities, hence I deem it necessary to appoint additional ministers to streamline the work," he said.

Surayud spoke after chairing a closed-door meeting with his Cabinet to discuss the reshuffle.

"In the meeting, my ministers and I have reached an agreement for enlarging the Cabinet although details will be revealed after the royal endorsement on new ministers," he said, evading a question on the timetable for reshuffling his Cabinet.

Source: The Nation - 18 April 2007

[Martin]

Surayud has an unenviable job on his hands.

Basically, being only there till the election within the year, he was asked to take on the responsibility without having the power to start anything that would need more than a year to come to fruition. That is a tall order for the 'helmsman of the ship of state'.

I admire Surayud for several reasons, but mostly for rising to the occasion and accepting the office. He responded to the call of Duty when most would have got on with their pleasant retirement.

And he knew that it is not just Thailand that needs real leadership at the moment, it is the world.

Look again at his speech (the 'position statement') to the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of Thailand and all the Ambassadors.

(Put "Partners for a sustainable future" into Google Search, or try www.boi.go.th/english/how/speeches_detail.asp?id=269 - 54k).

Thailand actually has the fundamentals in place to lead the world's countries down the path that they will inevitably go, well or badly. But the devil is in the details---like Thailand only having an interim government, for one.

[LaoPo]

Surayud has an unenviable job on his hands.

Basically, being only there till the election within the year, he was asked to take on the responsibility without having the power to start anything that would need more than a year to come to fruition. That is a tall order for the 'helmsman of the ship of state'.

I admire Surayud for several reasons, but mostly for rising to the occasion and accepting the office. He responded to the call of Duty when most would have got on with their pleasant retirement.

And he knew that it is not just Thailand that needs real leadership at the moment, it is the world.

Look again at his speech (the 'position statement') to the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of Thailand and all the Ambassadors.

(Put "Partners for a sustainable future" into Google Search, or try www.boi.go.th/english/how/speeches_detail.asp?id=269 - 54k).

Thailand actually has the fundamentals in place to lead the world's countries down the path that they will inevitably go, well or badly.

But the devil is in the details---like Thailand only having an interim government, for one.

Please explain.

LaoPo

[blaze]

Surayud has an unenviable job on his hands.

Basically, being only there till the election within the year, he was asked to take on the responsibility without having the power to start anything that would need more than a year to come to fruition. That is a tall order for the 'helmsman of the ship of state'.

I admire Surayud for several reasons, but mostly for rising to the occasion and accepting the office. He responded to the call of Duty when most would have got on with their pleasant retirement.

And he knew that it is not just Thailand that needs real leadership at the moment, it is the world.

Look again at his speech (the 'position statement') to the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of Thailand and all the Ambassadors.

(Put "Partners for a sustainable future" into Google Search, or try www.boi.go.th/english/how/speeches_detail.asp?id=269 - 54k).

Thailand actually has the fundamentals in place to lead the world's countries down the path that they will inevitably go, well or badly.

But the devil is in the details---like Thailand only having an interim government, for one.

Please explain.

LaoPo

Yes, do please explain- do these fundamentals include military dictatorships? The world's been down that road-

Or are you referring to the installing of singularly inept buffoons to cabinet positions with no mechanisms of electoral accountability to limit their tenure.

Edited April 18, 2007 by blaze

[Jai Dee]

More new faces in Cabinet: PM

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont indicated Wednesday that new ministers will be introduced in the cabinet soon to increase efficiency.

Speaking to journalists after the weekly cabinet meeting, the prime minister said the cabinet line-up will see new faces to lessen workload of some ministers. However, he declined to go into detail, saying only that the list will be officially announced after receiving royal endorsement.

Gen. Surayud dismissed criticism that the cabinet reshuffle was meant for the survival of the government itself rather than its efficiency, and to cope with imminent anti-government demonstrations.

"We put emphasis on improving work performance to achieve goals set earlier," the prime minister stressed, adding that the list has yet been presented for royal approval pending further deliberation.

The current Cabinet has 32 portfolios.

The prime minister also said that the government's six-month achievements will be announced early May.

A recent opinion poll shows the popularity of the interim government continuing to decline, after six months in power following the September 19 coup toppling the elected government of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Tackling the continuing violence in the insurgency-ravaged far south received lowest marks among others -- including the building of national reconciliation and efforts to upgrade public safety following the New Year's Eve bombings in the capital and neighbouring Nonthaburi province which killed three people and injured about 40 others, including nine foreigners.

Source: TNA - 19 April 2007

[chownah]

Seems like the military dictatoship has two agendas....creating an economy that benefits itself and maintaining power. Aren't these two things the essence of what is driving the changes indicated here?

[hammered]

Seems like the military dictatoship has two agendas....creating an economy that benefits itself and maintaining power. Aren't these two things the essence of what is driving the changes indicated here?

Exactly the same charges could be made against the previous regime, which is what this power struggle is about. We have to go back to the quaint days of coalition government when governments didnt have the power to create a total self benfitting economy and could not maintain power for long. This served the status quo well. Now, like it or not, we will see Thailand move to something new that will become a new status quo. The exact details remain to be fought over but it will happen. It will be interesting to see if the elite or one group of it, whether they be the Junta, the government, the Thaksinistas, or the other politcos and academics will be able to keep control of the situation as it unfolds. It does seem that if the feuding in the elite continues they could end up destroying and discrediting each other.

[Jai Dee]

Deputy Minister of Social Development and Human Security Poldej is optimistic about possible Cabinet reshuffle

The Deputy Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Dr. Poldej Pinprateep, talks about Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s consideration of the Cabinet reshuffle, saying the premier can add four more people to the Cabinet before finalizing his decision on the new Cabinet line-up.

Dr. Poldej however says no Cabinet members will be dismissed and he believes the Prime Minister already has certain individuals in mind. He says the Gen. Surayud may appoint new deputy ministers to help out the ministries with many tasks to be done.

Dr. Poldej believes the names of the new members will be presented to His Majesty the King within this week. He says the reshuffle may help increase the Cabinet’s efficiency, but the operation will have to be fine-tuned.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM refuses to take over security role

It's the duty of the CNS, Surayud says; several deputy ministers set to be named

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont decided yesterday against having a new deputy premier for security - a position actively favoured by Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Surayud said he was convinced the CNS should have total control over security.

Sonthi said he had no objection if Surayud wanted to appoint a deputy minister for security.

"I don't think Surayud wants to name his deputy, because he once told me to take care of security affairs," Sonthi said.

The CNS chief said he would be happy if a qualified military officer took the role but that he himself would not accept the position. He said he was content with his job and had no ambition to join the government.

Surayud yesterday unveiled his plans for a new Cabinet shake-up, saying it was designed to speed up work for the second half of the year. He said the current ministers would remain, with new appointees included.

"Some ministries have a heavy workload with broad responsibilities, so it's necessary to appoint additional ministers to streamline the work," he said.

Surayud spoke after chairing a closed-door meeting with his Cabinet to discuss the reshuffle. He reportedly asked ministers to speed up their work and coordinate more closely with the junta and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

"My ministers and I have reached an agreement for enlarging the Cabinet, but the details will be revealed following royal endorsement of the new ministers," he said, evading a question on the timetable for the reshuffle.

He said he had yet to decide whether to fill all 36 seats in the Cabinet or bring in a limited number of new ministers.

He said he expected having new ministers would speed up policy implementation.

"Whether the new Cabinet line-up will meet public expectations will be for the people to decide themselves," he said, dismissing claims he was trying to boost his popularity.

He said the government wanted to complete its mission for the transition period by restoring democratic rule and that his administration was not obliged to bow to public sentiment like elected predecessors.

"The government is expected to take a more proactive stand for its remaining term, in order to complete its job on time, and I hope to inform the people of its accomplishments via my midterm report early next month," he said.

In regard to speculation that CNS secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul had struck a deal with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Sonthi yesterday said Winai had not strayed from the CNS.

Winai took an official trip abroad but did not meet with Thaksin, he said.

"I don't believe the speculation, because it's impossible, due to the unity of the CNS - don't listen to rumours," he said.

He said the rumours probably came from the junta's opponents, who might have spotted Winai visiting London and tried to link him to Thaksin.

After the PM announced his Cabinet-reshuffle plan, he met with Sonthi, Winai and Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas at Government House for about two hours.

A source said the meeting could have been about the shake-up in regard to a new position on security affairs. A possible compromise could be the appointment of a deputy defence minister, the source said.

Among the new appointees would be deputy ministers for defence, interior and agriculture, said the source.

A source privy to yesterday's Cabinet meeting said Surayud had sought and received approval from his ministers for new ministers.

"Each minister gave the prime minister a free rein to name newcomers," the source said.

The source said Surayud also asked his ministers to work at a faster pace and improve coordination with the CNS and the NLA, the better to get their work done.

"From now on, Surayud may hold a closed-door meeting ahead of each weekly Cabinet meeting, in order to check on work progress, and will invite the CNS to attend some joint sessions with the Cabinet," the source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras and PM's Office Minister Prasith Kowilaikul were asked to work closer with lawmakers, in order to speed up the legislative process, he said.

Source: The Nation - 19 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Panlop says he has not been approached to work as Deputy Minister of Defence

The former Deputy Director of the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC), Gen. Panlop Pinmanee, says he has not been approached by the government to work as the Deputy Minister of Defence.

Gen. Panlop says if he has been approached, Prime Minster Surayud Chulanont would inform him in advance since they are close associates.

Gen. Panlop also says it would be unlikely for him to be appointed as another Deputy Minister of Defence since the Defence Minister, Gen. Boonrawd Somthas, is already capable of performing his duties.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Cabinet reshuffle list done: Surayud

Pattani - Prime mnister Surayud Chulanont said Friday that he had finished the list of his new social ministers.

He said only new ministers would be added for social portfolios.

The list is now under the process of checking, which should be completed next week.

Source: The Nation - 20 April 2007

[hammered]

Cabinet reshuffle list done: Surayud

Pattani - Prime mnister Surayud Chulanont said Friday that he had finished the list of his new social ministers.

He said only new ministers would be added for social portfolios.

The list is now under the process of checking, which should be completed next week.

Source: The Nation - 20 April 2007

Now what are social portfolios?

This doesnt sound like the kind of reshuffle that the public wanted to see where ineefficient ministers were removed.

[Martin]

For 'hammered':

I agree with your thoughts, but I think the word 'elite' could well be replaced by 'secondary elites' in:

"It does seem that if the feuding in the elite continues they could end up destroying and discrediting each other."

Down in Bangkok, there are only secondary elites.

The primary elite is the yeomanry-peasantry, and they are not feuding.

“In the water there are fish, in the field there is rice.”

A populace of peasantry who can catch enough and grow enough (to eat, and to have some extra to sell—or to barter) have a fundamental security that is denied to the landless.

The landless can only work as the secondary servants of the land-holding peasantry.

Of course, the landless may be well rewarded by the peasantry if the landless provide an elite service such as child-minding and instructing, banking, law enforcement, health care, bureaucracy, machine-making, entertaining and informing, or scholarship. Or preaching, or legislating, or reigning.

And it is not unknown for the servants to become the masters—at least, for a while.

Access to cheap supplies of bulk minerals (particularly iron and copper) and to cheap supplies of bulk energy (particularly coal, oil, and natural gas) allowed some in some of these secondary elites to gain an ascendancy and to subsequently become dominant.

The process has been termed ‘industrialisation’, and the result has been called ‘globalisation’.

But the elite of elites, by virtue of intrinsic security in self-sufficiency, is still the peasantry.

Of course, leaving the land, and the primary elite, to work in one of the secondary elites, can give a much more comfortable lifestyle---there are no air-conditioned fish ponds or rice fields in ban nork.

That migration is called ‘urban drift’.

It led to the (Western) twentieth century being “The century of the growth of the cities”.

(There are those who have predicted that this following century will be “The century of the mega-cities”----but they appear not to have noticed that the era of cheap supplies of bulk energy is ending, and so this century may well be seen, by History in retrospect, as “The century of the return to the rural.”)

As to some others' remarks about "military dictatorship", I can but quote the Talmud: "We don't see things as they are. We see things as we are."

The military action that catches my eye is one being perpetrated in Iraq by those elected dictators who are in power in Washington and London.

[Jai Dee]

Cabinet line-up awaits royal approval

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday confirmed he had finalised the list of new ministers tasked to speed up work on social affairs, putting to rest speculation on changes in the economic and security portfolios.

"The new line-up will include a new deputy interior minister who will be in charge of facilitating the referendum on the new constitution," Surayud said.

He said the announcement of the Cabinet reshuffle would take place next week following royal approval. "I would rather not say ahead of time as everyone will learn the details next week," he said, refusing to reveal the names and numbers of newcomers to his Cabinet.

Before Surayud made his remarks, Government House officials speculated about four contenders vying for two portfolios.

Potential candidates for the position of deputy interior minister include Chanasak Yuwaboon, former interior permanent secretary, and Yuvarat Kamolvej, a former election commissioner.

For the position of deputy agriculture minister, key contenders are ex-senator Anan Dalodom and Veerachai Veerametheekul, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister.

The four said they had not been approached to take the job.

Prasarn Maruekapitak, the subcommittee chairman in charge of the government's public relations, said Surayud had assigned his ministers to step up the awareness campaign designed to "wean villagers off populist policies".

"Each Cabinet member has been tasked to make more field trips to the provinces under their charge in order to keep in touch with villagers and raise awareness on the economic sufficiency theory," he said.

The awareness campaign is slated to commence next month.

Regarding contacts with Thai expats and students abroad, a high-level delegation will visit England and Germany from May 17-26 to explain the September coup and the restoration of democratic rule, he said. The delegation is to include ex-ambassador Surapong Chaiyanam, social critic Sulak Sivaraksa and ex-senator Kraisak Chonhavan.

Source: The Nation - 21 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Surayud unveils reshuffle plan

PM to increase Cabinet seats; rule out appointing deputy in charge of security

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Wednesday unveiled a plan for a new Cabinet lineup designed to speed up work for the second half of his one-year term in office.

"Some ministries have a heavy workload with broad responsibilities, hence I deem it necessary to appoint additional ministers to streamline the work," he said.

Surayud spoke after chairing a closed-door meeting with his Cabinet to discuss the reshuffle.

"In the meeting, my ministers and I have reached an agreement for enlarging the Cabinet although details will be revealed after the royal endorsement on new ministers," he said, evading a question on the timetable for reshuffling his Cabinet.

He said he had yet to finalise his decision whether to fill all 36 seats in the Cabinet or to bring in a limited number of new ministers.

He ruled out the speculation that he might name a new deputy minister in charge of security affairs, saying he was still unwavering in his stand that the Council for National Security should be completely in charge of the issue.

He said he expected new ministers to help speeding up policy implementation.

"Whether the new Cabinet lineup would meet the public expectations will be the matter for the people to decide by themselves," he said, dismissing the allegation that he was trying to boost his popularity.

He said his government wanted to complete its mission for the transition period of restoring democratic rule and had not been obliged to sway the public sentiment like its elected predecessors.

"The government is expected to take a more proactive stand for its remaining term in order to complete its job on time and I hope to inform the people of accomplishments via my midterm report early next month," he said.

Source: The Nation - 27 April 2007