Academics Rap Abhisit Cabinet

[Gravelrash]

By yielding to financiers, he could be making the same mistakes as Thaksin

Thammasat University's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy said Abhisit had earlier announced strong opposition to Thaksin's political style but his Cabinet list showed he had used the same political methods as Thaksin, with Cabinet seats allocated to coalition parties in proportion to the number of MPs they muster. The Democrats have also allowed party financiers to have a say or control over government policies, it said.

"The way the new government is being formed is not one but many steps back for Thai politics. Cabinet seats are being given to people who are not qualified and knowledgeable but to capitalists and people who side with the People's Alliance for Democracy that toppled the Somchai government. Many ministers were MPs that the Democrats voted to expel. Only politicians who stick by their integrity and political ideology can stand on the political stage with grace,'' he said.

Dr Lertchai Sirichai, a lecturer at Walailak University, praised Democrat Party Phattalung MP Nipit Intarasombat for his public disclosure of the financial support given to the party by business tycoon Virachai Virameteekul, who is tipped to join the Abhisit Cabinet.

"What he did shows that no party can stop playing dirty politics. Capitalism is married to politics, and as a result mutual interest or reciprocity is inevitable,'' he said.

He predicted that the Democrat Party would face a heavy backlash from the revelation. "The party made a bid for power without taking into account public feeling. It is not going to be able to brave the political storm easily, and the opposition will definitely rock the government over the issue,'' he said.

Assistant Prof Dr Wichai Kanchanasuwan, a lecturer at Prince of Songkhla University, said that although many people accepted capitalism in politics, it was not right because it enabled businessmen to pursue vested interests.

"South Korea cut the vicious circle of business politics by banning the private sector from donating funds to political parties,'' he noted.

A source from the Democrat Party said following reports of party infighting, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had tried to reach an understanding with MPs who were disappointed at not getting Cabinet posts to get them to stop their protest. They include Democrat Party Phitsanulok MP Juti Krairerk, Bangkok MP Ong-art Klampaiboon and Phattalung MP Nipit Intarasombat.

Nipit was so upset that he wanted to quit on Friday. Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai persuaded Nipit over the phone not to quit as he had worked for the party for over 30 years.

The broken-hearted MPs decided to stay on after they were approached by Chuan and Abhisit, who gave them hope that they could make the Cabinet after a reshuffle if any ministers were found wanting.

Rumours circulated in the Democrat Party that non-politicians in the Cabinet list had paid up to Bt100 million for ministerial posts.

Abhisit reacted to the criticism that his Cabinet was marred by saying he had few choices and the party was forced to form a Cabinet that would bring political stability. "Once the government has that stability, it can deal with the political crises. We do not want to waste time on bargaining because the government has a lot of work ahead,'' he said.

He urged the public to give his government two or three months to prove that it could restore business confidence in the country. He said he understood disappointed MPs who had not got Cabinet posts, especially Nipit, because Phattalung people were proud of him and in high hopes that he would be a Cabinet member.

"It is normal for there to be people who are disappointed and people who are happy. I am confident that we can get over this problem,'' he said.

He denied allegations that the Democrats were dominated by party financiers. He said the party mobilised funds openly and reported donations to the Election Commission. "If that was true, I would not have come this far on the political path,'' he said.

The Nation

[Gravelrash]

Meanwhile, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said he does not know about Mr Nipit's revelation to the media that an 80 million baht donation was given to the party.

But he insisted that the party will not offer anything back to any donor.

Bangkok Post

[Gary A]

Why do you suppose that the elite pay BIG money for their appointments? Could it be that they will get a lot more back than they paid? Where will that payback come from? You thought Thaksin was a crook?

[churchill]

Whoever he appoints he will be critsised . No cabinet will suite all - he has to do his best and hope that everyone gives him a chance .

[PeaceBlondie]

We are not the first to sing, "Here's to the new boss...same as the old boss..." But will PAD once again be standing in the street, with their children at their feet?

[Scott]

Of course PAD won't be out in the streets. This is their 'boy wonder'. He is good. Thaksin and his people were evil. The Democrat's followers are smart and Thaksins are ignorant. Simple, really.

[JetsetBkk]

Why do you suppose that the elite pay BIG money for their appointments? Could it be that they will get a lot more back than they paid? Where will that payback come from? You thought Thaksin was a crook?

So why isn't there another Assets Examination Committee? It would help stop these snouts sucking more $$$ from Thailand's trough.

[h90]

Of course PAD won't be out in the streets. This is their 'boy wonder'. He is good. Thaksin and his people were evil. The Democrat's followers are smart and Thaksins are ignorant. Simple, really.

PAD start already to criticize him, but give him time and there are several good people, Korn, the foreign Minister the Defense Minister, so I think they won't be on the streets, but they will demand things and when the first cases of corruption come they will get angry. Just I think Abhist will dissolve house, if there are demonstrations.

[bunnaag]

The Oxford boy is no match for the boys who got their education in the rice paddy field universities of Nakon Nowhere.They will tell him what to do.With so many groups involved this government probably will not last too long.Thats what happened in the end to the Chuan government.Corruption will not stop in Thailand only because the Oxford boy promises to watch the bad boys.