Education minister leaves job with warning of tough work ahead

BANGKOK: -- Education Minister Adisai Bhodaramik bowed out of his job today insisting that he had no intention of running for the post again, while warning that his successor would face a lengthy process to produce any concrete results.

The veteran politician, who has taken on several portfolios including that of agriculture minister, told reporters during his farewell speech that he had laid down several basic structures at the Ministry of Education, and what was needed now was for these structures to be developed.

While conceding that the post had been hampered in the past by frequent changes of incumbent, he expressed confidence that the new government would put an end to this, noting that there were several politicians within the Thai Rak Thai party who were suitable for the job.

Mr. Adisai, who said that he had never had any intention of staying long in the post and had agreed with the prime minister that he would only work during the last term of office, said: “My term is over, it’s time for change. It doesn’t have to be me. This is a matter for the new government”.

However, he delivered a veiled barb at Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he said that: “The public might not understand the way the prime minister thinks. His style of administration is unique”.

Refusing to be pinned down on whom might be suitable for the job, he said only that it was entirely up to Mr. Thaksin to make the decision. What was important, he said, was that the new government took education seriously.

“People have looked at the overall picture of poverty, and they have seen that education has not been as good as other areas of work. The prime minister must make improvements in work relating to society and education”, he said.

Asked if he would remain in office if asked to do so by Mr. Thaksin, Mr. Adisai delivered a swift rebuttal. “I won’t stay on. I think I’ve done enough”, he said, adding that his term at the Education Ministry had enabled him to see the hardships faced by teachers.

However, he expressed confidence that from now on the lot of teachers would improve, as the politicians responsible for them were fully capable.

--TNA 2005-02-08

So, for how long has this retiring Minister of Education been in the post this time? How many MoE's have there been (counting duplications) during Mr. Thaksin's first term? Has anybody even stayed a year? Does anything done by a temporary figurehead mean anything? Are the permanent top staff at the Ministry totally befuddled, just waiting to twist in the wind once again?