New Cabinet Line Up Officially Announced

[george]

New cabinet line up officially announced

BANGKOK: -- The government has officially announced the new cabinet line up, endorsed by His Majesty the King in a Royal command.

Most of those on the new cabinet list were in the media's recent reports.

They include six deputies prime minister, including

Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Mr. Chaturon Chaisang, Mr. Wissanu Krea-Ngam, Mr. Pinij Jarusombat, Mr. Surakiart Sathirathai, who sat on the Foreign Minister seat firmly over the past four years, and Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya, a former chief of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Mr. Somkid also takes the post of the Finance Minister concurrently, while Pol. Gen. Chidchai also gets the top job at the Interior Ministry concurrently.

Gen. Thamarak Isarangura was appointed the new Defence Minister, while Mr. Thanong Bidaya takes the helm of the Commerce portfolio as earlier announced by Pirme Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The new Foreign Minister is Mr. Kantathir Suphamongkhon, wellknown as a most competent former Thai trade representative who has created a sound relationship and network with international envoys and leaders.

Mrs. Sudarat Keyuraphan was shifted to be the new Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, while Dr. Suchai Charoenrattanakul stepped up to take the Public Heath Ministry's top seat.

Education Minister Adisai Bodharamik, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Newin Chidchob remain on their same seats, while the Secretary General to the Prime Minister, Mr. Yongyut Tiyapirat, who was also a former government spokesman, becomes the new Natural Resources and Environment Minister.

The new Industry Minister, Energy Minister, and Tourism and Sports Minister are Mr. Watana Muangsook, Mr. Viset Choopiban, a former top executive of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), and Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin respectively.

Dr. Rung Kaew Daeng, a renowned and veteran educationist, was appointed Deputy Education Minister.

The former outspoken spoksman of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party, Mr. Suranant Vejajiva, was appointed the Prime Minister's Office Minister, while Mr. Suwit Khunkitti was shift from the top job of the Natural Resources and Environment portfolio to take the helm of the Information and Communications Technology Ministry.

--TNA 2005-03-11

[Ajarn]

Watch the new Interior Minister, Gen Chidchai Wannasathit. He was most recently the head of Immigration, but before that, he was the main enforcer of Thaksins war on drugs as secretary-general to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, with thousands killed, allegedly by police, and no investigations have ever been done...

The General was also assigned by Thaksin to head a panel to monitor police activities, especially corruption... Here is a quote from him that might make his attitudes clear..

"Pol Lt-Gen Chidchai, who heads a panel appointed by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to monitor police, said the panel would set out guidelines for police as "the big fish might be members of the elite and needed to be treated differently".

How should we interpret 'differently', you think?

[ovenman]

How should we interpret 'differently', you think? 

Well, they probably won't line up the big fish and shoot 'em anyway.

[billd766]

How should we interpret 'differently', you think? 

Well, they probably won't line up the big fish and shoot 'em anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not shooting them would be a shame as that would really send a message that the government is serious.

But if they did just think how many more of Thaksins relative could be promoted.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

How should we interpret 'differently', you think? 

Well, they probably won't line up the big fish and shoot 'em anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not shooting them would be a shame as that would really send a message that the government is serious.

But if they did just think how many more of Thaksins relative could be promoted.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fearless Leader hasn't had a lot of success with his relatives in important posts

[HarryHacker]

I would rather have a Cop as the Interior Minister than the puritanical born-again suits we have had for the last 4 years.

[Ajarn]

How should we interpret 'differently', you think? 

Well, they probably won't line up the big fish and shoot 'em anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, that was the end result, it seems, wasn't it?

Problem is, the General is now in charge of all security matters, at every level, so I expect more of the same. In addition, Thaksin recently announced a new war on drugs to begin soon..

[ovenman]

But if they did just think how many more of Thaksins relative could be promoted.

Fearless Leader hasn't had a lot of success with his relatives in important posts

I'm sure that overall lack of success won't be a deterrent to Mr Big's continuing efforts to find suitable employment for his extended family.

[marquess]

New faces, but the same old tune!

[HarryHacker]

I have not seen anything of 'shovalshit' is he still in the cabinet? Is he still a dep PM?

One thing for sure, until he dies he will be force here in Thailand!