Cabinet Reshuffle: Nothing To Do With Performance: Thai Talk

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THAI TALK

Cabinet reshuffle: Nothing to do with performance

Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

If news of a possible Cabinet reshuffle only three months after the Yingluck government took office hasn't created any real public excitement, it's simply because there isn't anything to get excited about.

For one thing, when the first Cabinet was put in place, and the qualifications of each minister were examined, most Thais were resigned to the fact that they hadn't been chosen for their ability to run their respective ministries in the first place. Putting the right person in the right job wasn't the main consideration.

In fact, it was clear that those who became Cabinet members were picked because of their personal links to Thaksin Shinawatra either for political or economic reasons. Somehow political debt had to be repaid and services earlier rendered had to be returned one way or the other.

Therefore, from Day One, it was an open secret that the next group of candidates would be waiting in line on the merry-go-round to take up Cabinet and related posts. The original time frame was probably six to nine months before Cabinet changes were to take place. But the devastating floods accelerated the process, because a large number of the Cabinet members were caught totally unprepared for such a crisis. Others were put to the test on the spot - and there is little doubt that they failed miserably.

It's a tough task for Yingluck to handle the presence of nominees of so many factions within the Pheu Thai Party, not to mention the obvious conflicts between ministers from coalition partners. Most, of course, are Thaksin's direct choices, but faction leaders have also been able to convince the former premier that they must be represented if the government is to enjoy any agree of stability. Then, there are members of Premier Yingluck's own inner circle who never did have any direct working experience with the hardcore politicians.

Thaksin and Yingluck did try to recruit some respectable technocrats and professional business leaders to head the economic side. But those approached, fearful of political interference, were demanding their own teams be brought into the Cabinet. The negotiations become complicated and got bogged down in the end. One or two candidates for the premiership (before Yingluck became the choice of last resort) who were willing to serve as prime minister decided to decline the offer due to the obvious risk of a close link to Thaksin and all that he represents.

Some analysts believe that any Cabinet reshuffle will have to take into consideration the composition of the two "strategic committees" set up by Premier Yingluck. In fact, it wouldn't be a big surprise if Dr Virabongsa Ramangkura, head of the first committee (the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management), takes up a crucial portfolio in the new Cabinet line-up, such as the finance post or deputy in overall charge of economic affairs.

Dr Sumet Tantivejjakul, who heads the second panel (the Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development), isn't expected to be recruited into a political post. He would rather remain a "non-political" figure providing advice to the Yingluck government - an equally, if not more, crucial role in propping up the government, whether or not the well-known technocrat himself intends it that way or not.

One major consideration in putting together a "Yingluck 2" Cabinet is that the new line-up will have to be able to work with the two strategic committees, which are viewed, in more ways than one, as even more important than the Cabinet itself. After all, the two panels - and not the Cabinet - are seen as the main fronts that could sustain the government's credibility.

A Cabinet reshuffle is therefore in the works, not because a more efficient group of ministers will step in to make the business of managing the country work better, but because promises of political largesse have to be kept - and anyone with any bargaining power is waiting for his or her turn on the merry-go-round.

Pheu Thai MPs were flying in droves to Singapore over the weekend, supposedly to lobby for new portfolios with Thaksin, who later was said to have left for Cambodia, allegedly to flee those seeking his favours. Premier Yingluck insists, meanwhile, that she isn't considering changes to the Cabinet.

There is no contradiction here. Everybody can claim to be telling what he or she considers to be the "truth". The only thing that matters is which "version" of the truth is being taken seriously.

-- The Nation 2011-12-15

[Arkady]

Yingluck has denied that she is planning to reshuffle the cabinet and there is absolutely no reason to disbelieve her. She was not involved in the selection of the current cabinet and there is no particular reason to suppose that she is involved in the negotiations over the Yingluck 2 cabinet that will be announced shortly after the New Year.

[lannarebirth]

With Thaksin selling cabinet posts for as short as 4 months, the pressure to generate graft quickly must be tremendous. Not nearly enough time to get your claws into a mega-project, but probably enough time to create further disasters and hardship, which seems to be a good earner.

[alstaxi]

Cabinet reshuffle: Nothing to do with performance

Well why not?????? and what the hell does it have to do with??? what a pathetic scam.

[Skywalker69]

With Thaksin selling cabinet posts for as short as 4 months, the pressure to generate graft quickly must be tremendous. Not nearly enough time to get your claws into a mega-project, but probably enough time to create further disasters and hardship, which seems to be a good earner.

I think the mega-projects graft is only for the Shinawatras closest.

[hellodolly]

Yingluck has denied that she is planning to reshuffle the cabinet and there is absolutely no reason to disbelieve her. She was not involved in the selection of the current cabinet and there is no particular reason to suppose that she is involved in the negotiations over the Yingluck 2 cabinet that will be announced shortly after the New Year.

True there is absolutely no reason to disbelieve her.

She has not shown enough smarts or leadership to do that.

In fact she is probably unaware of the complete lack of ability in the present cabinet.

[lannarebirth]

With Thaksin selling cabinet posts for as short as 4 months, the pressure to generate graft quickly must be tremendous. Not nearly enough time to get your claws into a mega-project, but probably enough time to create further disasters and hardship, which seems to be a good earner.

I think the mega-projects graft is only for the Shinawatras closest.

Actually, that's when I came to meet most of the Shinawatra's. During Chiang Mai's Ring Roads/Underpasses project.

[MikeOboe57]

Cabinet reshuffle: Nothing to do with performance

Of course not, because there is none...

[TAWP]

Cabinet reshuffle: Nothing to do with performance

I believe it, since nothing is based on performance.

Neither is the 100,000 baht bonus the government just approved to all MP's of the parliament. I am not sure for what exactly. Again, cannot be performance based.

[rubl]

In the build-up to a Pheu Thai led cabinet Ms. Yingluck assured us a few times selection criteria included 'knowledge', 'capabilities' and 'potential'. That leaves me with only one thing left to say: NO COMMENT

Edited December 15, 2011 by rubl

[OzMick]

With Thaksin selling cabinet posts for as short as 4 months, the pressure to generate graft quickly must be tremendous. Not nearly enough time to get your claws into a mega-project, but probably enough time to create further disasters and hardship, which seems to be a good earner.

I think the mega-projects graft is only for the Shinawatras closest.

Actually, that's when I came to meet most of the Shinawatra's. During Chiang Mai's Ring Roads/Underpasses project.

If you shook hands, I advise you to check all your fingers are still in place.