Thirachai For Thailand's Finance Ministry?

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Thirachai for Finance?

By THE NATION

Uncertainties surrounded the key Cabinet post of finance minister yesterday after Vichit Suraphongchai, a leading candidate, ruled out the possibility of taking up the job.

The Finance portfolio could go to another candidate, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, who recently resigned as secretary-general of the Securities Exchange of Commission.

Siam Commercial Bank yesterday dismissed news reports that its chairman of the executive committee, Vichit Suraphongchai, had resigned from the bank to accept a Cabinet post in the new government.

The bank said in a statement that Vichit, who was earlier speculated to become the next finance minister, would continue to work with the bank in the same positions.

However, Thirachai's resignation as SEC secretary-general is effective from today, the agency said in its circular released yesterday. Market watchers speculated that Thirachai would assume a ministerial post at the Finance Ministry.

Pheu Thai MPs yesterday voted unanimously to support the party's nomination of Yingluck Shinawatra as the new prime minister. The resolution was adopted by a unanimous decision of MPs and party executives.

The party will today submit the motion on Yingluck's nomination. Taking into account his seniority, Pheu Thai MP Snoh Thienthong has been entrusted to propose the motion for the House vote.

As the ruling party commands 265 of 500 votes, its motion is unlikely to face any problem in getting the endorsement by a minimum of 50 MPs, accounting for one-tenth of House seats.

After endorsing the motion, the House is expected to vote in an uncontested race. The appointment of prime minister needs the support of a simple majority in order to qualify for a royal command.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said his party wanted to commend the opposition Democrat Party for its decision not to contest the prime ministerial race.

"The opposition's gesture not to contest against Yingluck is seen as constructive, paving way for reconciliation," he said.

The royal command on Yingluck's appointment as PM is expected to be issued this evening following the vote in the morning.

Pheu Thai has arranged for a ceremony to receive the royal command at the reception room located on the 7th floor of the party headquarters.

Pheu Thai party-list MP General Yuthasak Sasiprapha said yesterday that he had resigned as chairman of the auditing committee of Dynasty Ceramics. However, he declined to confirm or deny speculation that he would become the new defence minister. He said that things would be clearer next week.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday said he was ready to meet Yingluck to discuss who should be the defence minister.

"The government does not need to seek out the Army's view on the Defence portfolio but it will be an honour if asked," he said.

Prayuth denied that he was in contact with ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra via Skype calls, saying he had never made a Skype call to anybody.

Commenting on the suitable candidate for Defence portfolio, he said he wanted to convey his views directly to Yingluck instead of talking to a go-between. "As far as I know, candidates mentioned in the press should not be the one," he said.

The Army chief said he did not aim to negotiate any deals with the government but wanted to make a suggestion on how to bring about a good working relationship between the military and the government.

The ideal candidate for the defence minister's seat should be someone who can ensure a good climate in working with the armed forces in a transparent, effective and honourable manner, he said.

He said several candidates were qualified to be the defence minister but the question was who would be chosen.

Outgoing Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, former Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, and Pheu Thai's General Yuthasak were among the names he mentioned as potential contenders for the job.

Yesterday, a source said that the Palang Chon Party - a small coalition partner - had asked that its only allocated Cabinet seat be changed from Science to Culture. It was because the party's representative joining the Cabinet would be more comfortable with the Culture portfolio than the Science portfolio, the source said.

Meanwhile, the Bhum Jai Thai Party, which is not a part of the six-party Pheu Thai-led coalition, resolved yesterday to abstain during today's House vote to elect the new prime minister, Bhum Jai Thai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said.

He said that as the Democrat Party had decided not to contest for PM, all Bhum Jai Thai MPs would abstain during the vote, adding no party MPs would vote for Pheu Thai's candidate, as had been rumoured.

The last two members of the 500-MP Lower House reported themselves to work yesterday after being endorsed by the EC. They were Pheu Thai's party-list MP Jatuporn Promphan and Democrat MP Abdul Karim Dengrakina from Yala.

Jatuporn played down speculation that red shirts would not be included in the Cabinet line-up. "No problem if the red shirts are not getting the job," he said.

He said the red shirts and he did not seek Cabinet positions. However, he reminded his party not to justify the exclusion of the red shirts on the grounds of needing to boost the government's image.

"Don't cite their activities as the reason to keep them out of the Cabinet," he said.

In a related development, Pheu Thai veteran politician Snoh Thienthong yesterday hinted that four to five non-MPs would join the incoming Yingluck government.

"There will be several outsiders to take ministerial portfolios in charge of economic affairs," Snoh said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-05