Thai Govt Set To Present Its Policies On August 24

[webfact]

Govt set to present its policies on August 24

By Jeerapong Prasertpolkrang,

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The government is expected to present its policy statement by August 24, Cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kittiampon said yesterday.

"The Cabinet is scheduled to vet the policy draft by August 16, paving the way for a policy debate on August 24," he said.

At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra assigned her two deputies, Yongyuth Wichaidit and Kittirat na Ranong, to take charge of the policy draft.

Yongyuth and Kittirat will be helped by the National Economic and Social Development Board to coordinate with various ministries in the drafting process.

Under the Constitution, the newly installed government is obligated to present its policy for a general debate in Parliament before assuming office.

In addition to issuing her instruction on the policy statement, Yingluck told her Cabinet members to be mindful of the royal advice given by His Majesty the King at Monday's swearing-in ceremony.

She summed up four key points in the royal advice:

_ To work with honesty and perseverance for the happiness of the people;

_ To act as a good role model;

_ To keep peace in society in the face of turmoil in other countries;

_ To uphold the King's wish for success in bringing about peace and prosperity to the country.

In accordance with precedent, the government is expected to release a list of key office holders following the policy debate. The upcoming appointments will include positions such as secretary-general to the prime minister, government spokesman, secretaries to ministers and advisers.

Newly appointed ministers turned out in full force for their first Cabinet meeting.

Deputy Education Minister Bunruen Srithares was the first to arrive at Government House at 7.55am for the 9am meeting. Deputy Prime Minister Kowit Wattana brought a Buddha statue to be kept at his office.

While waiting for the meeting to start, Deputy Prime Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa spent time paying respects to the spirit house and deities of the seat of government.

On behalf of the Cabinet, Industry Minister Wannarat Charnnukul presented a bouquet of flowers to congratulate Yingluck as the country's first female PM.

The Cabinet members devoted a major part of their 45-minute meeting to a briefing from the Cabinet Secretariat on rules and regulations pertaining to office holders. The filing of asset statements and work procedures involving the Cabinet were highlights of the briefing.

The Cabinet acknowledged key reports, such as the summary of work done under the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, the work progress related to the National Reconciliation Committee, the Truth for Reconciliation Commission and the independent committee in charge of charter amendments.

Emerging from the meeting, the prime minister said the opposition should allow her government to work for six months before airing critical views.

"All ministers should have the chance to prove themselves," she said.

She sidestepped a question whether the Foreign Ministry would reissue the passport to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying everything would be done in accordance with prescribed steps.

Thaksin's passport was cancelled in 2009 due to his fugitive status.

-- The Nation 2011-08-12

[Ricardo]

Hope that PM-Yingluck will be available to take part in the debate on the 24th, and doesn't just delegate that, to her deputies ?

She will be able to demonstrate her clear grasp of the many issues, and her debating-skills & political-eloquence, rather than reading from a script. And the poor will be reassured to hear that none of the firm electoral-commitments are to be broken or delayed.

[jonclark]

"...the prime minister said the opposition should allow her government to work for six months before airing critical views."

I suppose complimentary views from the opposition are unwelcome as well?

Part of an oppositions job is to be critical of government policy in the hope it will stir debate, participation and if needed amendments to national government policy. If the opposition see something wrong they are duty bound to say so, whether the opposition does so in the first week or last week of a governments tenure is irrelevant.

[siampolee]

She sidestepped a question whether the Foreign Ministry would reissue the passport to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying everything would be done in accordance with prescribed steps.

Thaksin's passport was cancelled in 2009 due to his fugitive status.

Which in truth means that when Brother no 1: speaks Yingluck will move, speak and act according to which ever of her strings her puppet master is pulling to manipulate her.

[Thaddeus]

The 24th is my birthday, and I'll be in Cambodia...... 3in1.

[siampolee]

Thaddeus.

The 24th is my birthday, and I'll be in Cambodia..

Remarkable coincidence !!!

Methinks you sir are a, "Doppelganger."