Tough Choices Ahead On The New Thai Cabinet

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Tough choices ahead on the new Cabinet

By Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation

Three weeks after the general election, Yingluck Shinawatra is still keeping her cards close to her chest when it comes to the Cabinet line-up.

Her temporary "suspension" by the Election Commission didn't help matters but there are other reasons as well. Her Cabinet will likely become the most scrutinised in recent history due to her brother's looming shadow, so it's natural for Thailand's would-be first female prime minister to move very cautiously.

The red shirts are also piling on the pressure, demanding a show of gratitude after propelling her to an almost landslide poll victory. In addition, getting qualified outsiders to help out in key ministerial positions is reportedly proving very |difficult.

The hardest Cabinet portfolio to fill is obviously Finance. Its traditional importance aside, the Finance post will bear the heavy burden of making the Pheu Thai Party's controversial election promises look viable. Whoever is handed the position will have to walk a tricky line between budget discipline and ambitious welfare plans that helped the opposition camp sweep the July 3 election. To implement the pledged Bt300 minimum wage will be tough, but to find a finance minister who can defend the plan may be tougher.

The Foreign portfolio is also a hot potato. Cambodia and its implications stand out as the biggest task. The new minister will have to "defend Thai sovereignty", keep a considerable distance from personal ties between Prime Minister Hun Sen and senior Thai figures, and all the while avoid setting off the yellow shirts. More than that, Thailand's serious diplomatic trouble with Germany is likely to drag on beyond Yingluck's inauguration day and nasty issues concerning Thaksin Shinawatra's status as a Thai fugitive will rear their ugly heads.

The portfolios above involve future problems. The position of defence minister, however, is presenting Yingluck with immediate anxiety. The name of the new defence chief will be the clearest sign of whether the bad relationship between Pheu Thai and the armed forces will improve or become much worse. Everyone will be watching - the red shirts, the yellow shirts, local businessmen, foreign investors, international analysts. Like it or not, this is the portfolio that will determine the stability of the new government.

The next difficult post to man is Justice. In the past, the justice minister was usually someone who could walk into a crowded restaurant without turning a head, but whoever takes the job in the Yingluck Cabinet will attract a lot of unwanted attention. He or she will be at the forefront of Yingluck's "reconciliation" platform, potentially involving a "blanket amnesty" programme that could prove politically explosive. Appointing a person who doesn't look reconciliatory will discredit Yingluck's own agenda, but the new prime minister will also have the entire red-shirt movement to worry about.

The Information and Communciations Technology Ministry has always been what everyone wanted. But who heads it under Yingluck will be what everyone scrutinises. On one hand, she won't want someone who could become uncontrollable, but on the other hand, appointing an ICT minister with close ties to the old telecoms empire of Thaksin would send bad messages.

These are the politically difficult Cabinet posts to fill. There are also important portfolios closely related to national development, such as Education and Agriculture. Yingluck, crippled by the political ban on many senior figures in her political camp, will not find it easy to get qualified people for these ministries either. Adding to that, the ongoing lobbying of her coalition allies will likely create further restraints on forming an impressive Cabinet.

She has always insisted that she will form the new Cabinet by herself. Few believe that, which is good in a way. When the people have low expectations about her "independence", that leaves her and whoever is "helping" her with a single challenge: forming a decent Cabinet in such difficult circumstances.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

[princejohnjay]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

[noahvail]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

Time will tell. I'm sure she's getting the best advice money can buy.

[Thaddeus]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

So that they can simultaneously fall flat on their faces?

[Who, me ?]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

??? What do you mean?

[Misterwhisper]

I propose the following individuals for key cabinet posts:

1) Minister of Interior: Thaksin Shinawatra

2) Minister of Foreign Affairs: Thaksin Shinawatra

3) Minister of Finance: Thaksin Shinawatra

4) Minister of Trade and Commerce: Thaksin Shinawatra

5) Minister of Justice: Thaksin Shinawatra

6) Minister of Education: Thaksin Shinawatra

7) Minister of Transport and Telecommunications: Thaksin Shinawatra

9) Minister of Defence: Thaksin Shinawatra

8) Prime Minister: Thaksin... er... Yingluck Shinawatra

Guess that would make things a lot easier for the country.

[hammered]

Actually have been given a mandate by the people Yingluck can appoint anyone she wants to the cabinet and it isnt up to unelected bodies to try and interfere in this. Obviously she can appoint a cabinet that is more of a liking to opponents or not,but that is her choice. Obviously keeping factions in her party happy is a more pressing concern for her, but unlike with Abhisit the coalition allies are in a weak position as they cant bring her government down and they know BJT would jump at the chance to replace them and have a hug with Thaksin again. Compared to thre previous government this is a massive advbantage for the counntry as the main government party will be better able to control policy with little chance of the cabinet rows we repeatedly saw under Abhisit when he had to surrender main posts to smaller parties. Im sure though unelected power players would rather have the small parties having more power as that is where they play games. The people though have decided otherwise

Edited July 22, 2011 by hammered

[scorecard]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

Time will tell. I'm sure she's getting the best advice money can buy.

Hey just a thought. Chalerm has a doctorate in law from Ram university. Maybe he could be the Justice Minister.

His sons could be trainee judges, and in charge of donut boxes.

[OzMick]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

So that they can simultaneously fall flat on their faces?

Easiest way to steal their shoes? or get them into the "missionary position" for the inevitable?

[OzMick]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

Time will tell. I'm sure she's getting the best advice money can buy.

Hey just a thought. Chalerm has a doctorate in law from Ram university. Maybe he could be the Justice Minister.

His sons could be trainee judges, and in charge of donut boxes.

there is a rumour that he failed Ethics 101.

Edited July 22, 2011 by OzMick

[ballpoint]

In addition, getting qualified outsiders to help out in key ministerial positions is reportedly proving very difficult.

Maybe because anyone smart enough to be a qualified outsider is not dumb enough to believe the lies and hype?

[lannarebirth]

In addition, getting qualified outsiders to help out in key ministerial positions is reportedly proving very difficult.

Maybe because anyone smart enough to be a qualified outsider is not dumb enough to believe the lies and hype?

Because they realize their role is to be a stooge, and then at the appropriate time, the scapegoat.

[Colin Yai]

I propose the following individuals for key cabinet posts:

1) Minister of Interior: Thaksin Shinawatra

2) Minister of Foreign Affairs: Thaksin Shinawatra

3) Minister of Finance: Thaksin Shinawatra

4) Minister of Trade and Commerce: Thaksin Shinawatra

5) Minister of Justice: Thaksin Shinawatra

6) Minister of Education: Thaksin Shinawatra

7) Minister of Transport and Telecommunications: Thaksin Shinawatra

9) Minister of Defence: Thaksin Shinawatra

8) Prime Minister: Thaksin... er... Yingluck Shinawatra

Guess that would make things a lot easier for the country.

Ahh yes MW, many a true word is spoken in jest!.

[gymboy33]

im quite sure the yingluck cabinet will vastly improve on the abhisit "band of thieves" inept cabinet.

[hellodolly]

Actually have been given a mandate by the people Yingluck can appoint anyone she wants to the cabinet and it isnt up to unelected bodies to try and interfere in this. Obviously she can appoint a cabinet that is more of a liking to opponents or not,but that is her choice. Obviously keeping factions in her party happy is a more pressing concern for her, but unlike with Abhisit the coalition allies are in a weak position as they cant bring her government down and they know BJT would jump at the chance to replace them and have a hug with Thaksin again. Compared to thre previous government this is a massive advbantage for the counntry as the main government party will be better able to control policy with little chance of the cabinet rows we repeatedly saw under Abhisit when he had to surrender main posts to smaller parties. Im sure though unelected power players would rather have the small parties having more power as that is where they play games. The people though have decided otherwise

True

But that does not give PT unlimited power they got the seats but more people voted against them than for them.

Fortunately for them the ones who subscribe to the my way or I will terrorize you voted for them.

That leaves the more level headed people in opposition to them.

There is little chance of terrorism or hostage taking (close down airports) happening but there is the chance of a loud out cry.

Also as has been noted here a lot of the people who voted for them did not vote for them they voted against the Democrats and there are some of their supporters who do not want to see Thaksin given a whitewash job.

All that being said let us all sit back and watch the show. We might be surprised. Time will tell.

If the PT wanted to make a big difference in Thailand now is their chance. Cut loose Thaksin and make no more deals to get support they have the support now. Let us hope they use it wisely.

[hellodolly]

In addition, getting qualified outsiders to help out in key ministerial positions is reportedly proving very difficult.

Maybe because anyone smart enough to be a qualified outsider is not dumb enough to believe the lies and hype?

I doubt that she will be looking at any of the democrats no matter how qualified they are.

If she was to appoint one of them it would on the face of it show that she is more concerned with doing a good job for Thailand than being politically correct.

Just my opinion

[warfie]

Don't take Yingluck for granted cuz she's gonna sweep everyone off their feet...

So that they can simultaneously fall flat on their faces?

Well, she'll want company...