Bring Peace, His Majesty The King Tells Thai Govt

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NEW GOVERNMENT

Bring peace : HM tells govt

By The Nation

Monarch urges ministers to focus on development of all parts of country; Yingluck wants judgement on her govt suspended for at least 6 months

His Majesty the King yesterday expressed his hope before the new Cabinet that Thailand would remain peaceful at a time when "the world has a lot of confusion already".

Speaking to the newly appointed Cabinet members headed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawa-tra, the King also asked them to keep their vow to perform their duties honestly for the country's prosperity and stability.

He congratulated the 36 Cabinet members present before him for a swearing-in ceremony at Siriraj Hospital. "This country must have rulers to keep all parts of the country functioning well. I would like you to do as you just said, to ensure that the country can function well," the King said.

"To make the country function well, seniors in the country should set good examples for other people in the country to follow."

His Majesty also reminded the Cabinet members that the world today is full of confusion. "The world these days has a lot of confusion. Thailand has less confusion. … I would like you to make our country a good place to live in in this world. This world has much confusion already. I hope Thailand is peaceful," he said.

Yingluck has asked the public to let her Cabinet do its work for at least six months before criticising it.

"We need at least six months [before evaluation] as administration of the country is a big issue and [we] need time to understand the problems and prepare the policies. After the swearing-in ceremony today, the Cabinet will declare its policies [to Parliament] within 15 days, then it can start working," she said. She did not reveal the date when it would make public its policies.

The first Cabinet meeting has been scheduled at Government House for 9am today, and on Saturday Yingluck is preparing to visit the Kingdom's flood-affected areas.

She is scheduled to visit Sukhothai, then take a helicopter to distribute flood-relief kits in Phrae and Nan. She will travel overnight to her private house in Chiang Mai where she plans to pay tribute to Khru Ba Srivichai - one of the most respected monks in the province - as well as her ancestors, before returning to Bangkok on Sunday.

Asked whether the new ministers were an ideal match for their jobs, Yingluck said she and the party had done their best, considering the many factors involved.

On the reason for giving the post of foreign minister to Pheu Thai MP Surapong Towichakchaikul, Ying-luck said Surapong had been an MP for many years and had participated in many House committees. He also had experience working in a private company with international connections and he understood trade issues very well. Officers at the Foreign Ministry would help him with the diplomatic work, she said.

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the opposition Democrat leader, said he was doubtful about many of the ministerial selections in the Yingluck Cabinet. He said many ministers had not worked on Pheu Thai policies, while people in charge of policy drafting and clarifying policies to the public were not appointed. Therefore, it would be interesting to see whether the government's policies would be the same as those promised during the election campaign.

Abhisit also pointed out that ministers in charge of economic matters were outsiders not experienced in the capital market, where there were many challenging problems to solve. Moreover, the invited ministers were also involved with former premier Thaksin Shinawa-tra's share trade and tax payment issues. The public should keep an eye on possible problems related to these matters.

Abhisit said many ministers' positions - including that of Surapong who said he did not want to work on foreign affairs - came as a surprise. But Abhisit said he would wait and see the government's performance. Some problems might need up to two years to yield results, while Pheu Thai during the election campaign had promised solutions in less than six months.

Abhisit said the public's greatest expectation was for the Pheu Thai government to solve the issue of the high cost of living. Therefore, it should not disappoint them.

Chulalongkorn University political scientist Chaiyan Chaiyaporn said the Yingluck Cabinet in general looked better than the first Abhisit Vejjajiva Cabinet.

While Abhisit had Porntiva Nakasai as commerce minister, Yingluck had handed the job to Kittirat na Ranong who is experienced in the field, Chaiyan said.

He said Surapong might be the Cabinet's weak point. However, Thaksin - with whom he had a close relationship - might be Surapong's mastermind or adviser.

Chaiyan said he was worried that political newbie Yingluck would have problems controlling veteran politicians under her, or she might let her brother Thaksin be the final decision-maker.

Yingluck might be a quick learner and deserved a chance to prove herself. Nevertheless, people would not accept her if she worked to help Thaksin return to the country.

Officers at the Foreign Ministry yesterday privately discussed the selection of Surapong as head of the ministry, wondering why Surapong, who is an information technology expert, was appointed to the position. The foreign minister should be experienced in international relationships and well-known internationally, not just in some countries.

However, they were ready to work with Surapong and hoped he could solve problems in international relations.

Meanwhile, government officers at the Justice Ministry said they welcomed Pol General Pracha Promnok as their minister. Justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kittayarak said Pracha was not only a National Police chief, but a gentleman.

Department of Special Investi-gation director-general Tarit Pengdith said he was preparing to present the department's work to the new minister. Pracha's experience as a former National Police chief should make collaboration smooth, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-11

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HM King Grant Audience to New Cabinet

His Majesty the King has granted audience to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and appointed Cabinet members, to be sworn in at Siriraj Hospital yesterday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the newly appointed Cabinet was granted audience with His Majesty the King to be sworn in at Siriraj Hospital on Wednesday evening.

In his speech addressed to the new Cabinet, His Majesty told them to be good role models for the public and to keep their vows to serve the country.

The beloved monarch also called on the Cabinet members to work with honesty and perform their duties for interest of the nation.

His Majesty the King said that as the world is full of conflict and disorder, Thailand fortunately remains relatively peaceful.

His Majesty asked the new ministers to maintain peace, keep moving the country forward, and carry out their duties with their utmost effort and determination to bring success to the country in every aspect.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-11

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King urges new cabinet to work honestly

BANGKOK, Aug 11 -- His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Wednesday urged Thailand's new cabinet to work with honesty for the country's stability amid the present global turmoil.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her 35-member cabinet took the oath of allegiance in an audience with HM the King at Siriraj Hospital where he has been staying since September 2009.

Replying to their oaths, HM the King urged the prime minister and her ministers to honour their vows to work with honesty for the prosperity of the nation. He called on them to be a good example for the public and help all the work of governance to run properly.

He said the country needed a leader to run the country so the nation will move forward smoothly.

"If all of you do your duties in accordance with the oaths you have given, with honesty, with aims to achieve your goals, you will be satisfied with what you have done," he said.

HM the King said that the world faces turmoil but Thailand is experiencing less turmoil. He expressed confidence that the government could ensure peace if it did its best for the interest of the nation, making Thailand as one of the most peaceful places in the world.

HM the King on Tuesday night gave his royal endorsement to the 35-member cabinet lineup of Prime Minister Yingluck, Thailand's first female prime minister, whom he endorsed on Monday.

Thailand's 60th cabinet earlier posed for a group photo at Government House but without deputy finance minister Wiroon Techapaiboon who missed the session due to traffic. Mr Wiroon rejoined the group at Siriraj Hospital.

Ms Yingluck will chair her first cabinet meeting Thursday at 9am to begin preparing the government's policy statement to be delivered before the Parliament.

According to the Constitution, the government must deliver its policy statement to Parliament within 15 days after taking office.

The meeting is also expected to discuss plans to help flood victims as Ms Yingluck is scheduled to visit victims and inspect the current flooding situation in Phrae and Nan during the weekend. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-11

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Cabinet upholds HM the King’s advice

BANGKOK, 11 August 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has pledged to uphold the royal advice given by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the day the cabinet took the oath of allegiance.

Prime Minister Yingluck told the press that she will distribute the royal advice to all cabinet members in order to remind them of the oath they have taken so that they will work towards national unity and reconciliation and bring back the land of smile.

Upon the opposition’s criticism that some of the cabinet members were selected because of their contribution and attachment to the Shinawatra family, the prime minister asked the critics to be patient and let her cabinet work firstly. She confirmed that her cabinet is determined to work for the nation.

Prime Minister Yingluck once again guaranteed the suitability of Mr Surapong Towichakchaikul as Foreign Minister.

As for the idea to return the passport for her brother, ex-Prime Minister Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister said it must be made according to the procedures, noting that her government will work for the nation as the prime priority.

-- NNT 2011-08-11

[Lite Beer]

Nonsense post removed.

[Bagwan]

Thailand's 60th cabinet earlier posed for a group photo at Government House but without deputy finance minister Wiroon Techapaiboon who missed the session due to traffic. Well we know who to blame for that. don't we? A promise still unfulfilled.

Heartening to see that His Majesty looking pretty chipper. Long may he remain so.