Tough Tasks Ahead For Thai Foreign Minister Surapong

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BURNING ISSUE

Tough tasks ahead for Surapong

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichak-chaikul had a tough first day in office yesterday.

His lack of experience in international affairs was a popular talking point.

Surapong took office when the public wanted to see a career diplomat in the post, who could use his long experience and skills to restore Thailand's international credibility and good relations with neighbouring countries.

Although the performance of a seasoned diplomat as foreign minister in the Abhisit Vejjajiva government was not impressive, there remained high hope that a professional diplomat would step into the post to handle the country's foreign affairs.

Many officials at the Foreign Ministry said they wished to work with a minister who could lead the ministry professionally.

Surapong's expertise is in information technology and telecommunications, as well as finance, and not in foreign affairs. What he now has to prove, in full public view, is that he has enough diplomatic skill and knowledge of international affairs to lead the ministry and handle Thailand's foreign affairs.

It is said that Surapong got the position not because of his skill, but for his close association with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - the de facto leader of the new government. Thaksin wanted a foreign minister who would protect and facilitate him while he lived abroad.

The fugitive former PM needed a person who would dare to make decisions on many controversial issues surrounding him. The return of Thaksin's Thai passport is perhaps the first job to test Surapong.

Thaksin ran into a lot of trouble during the Abhisit government because former foreign minister Kasit Piromya used a lot of national resources at the Foreign Ministry to hunt him down and block his movements in international forums.

Surapong, however, strongly dismisses any suggestion that he received his lofty post because of Thaksin, saying that Thaksin's mission is not his job.

"No, I have not been in contact with Thaksin," he said. "I have taken up this appointment because I am going to work for the country. I will do what is right."

Whatever he says, Surapong has already proved over recent years that he can serve Thaksin well. He connected with Thaksin after the marriage of their relatives. He used to organise red-shirt protests to support Thaksin in his home town of Chiang Mai, and as a distant relative, Surapong led a movement to seek a royal pardon for Thaksin.

What Surapong needs to prove from now on is that he can serve the country's international mission just as well. Public opinion expects him to restore international confidence in the country and build up its international credibility, which has been heavily damaged by the recent conflict with Cambodia. The previous government spent all the country's credibility in the battle with Cambodia. Now it's time to restore it, and accumulate credit.

Experience in international affairs is not a critical requirement for the job. Many past foreign ministers took the post without any remarkable experience in international affairs. And in fact, many seasoned diplomats have failed in the top job.

Every coin has two sides. Surapong has a good educational background, with a doctorate in engineering from the US. International affairs is not difficult to learn, if he really wants to gain knowledge and a good understanding, to achieve success in his new job.

What he has to achieve is a balancing act between the interests of Thaksin and the interests of the country. Things that are good for Thaksin might not be good for Thailand. If he can make the national interest his priority at the Foreign Ministry, Surapong may be a good foreign minister.

-- The Nation 2011-08-12

[KhunBJ]

Everybody can do better than the outgoing disaster...

[brianb1944]

Everybody can do better than the outgoing disaster...

please elucidate the criticism is too vague to have any credence

[Bakseedaa]

Everybody can do better than the outgoing disaster...

Obviously we know what the "BJ" stands for..! Stop talking with your mouth full..!

[OzMick]

".... Surapong may be a good foreign minister." Long odds!

"make the national interest his priority at the Foreign Ministry, Surapong may be a good foreign minister." More chance of my ex-wife returning my money!