Non-politician likely to fill Tourism post

Piyanart Srivalo,

Khanittha Thepphajorn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An outsider is expected to become the next tourism and sports minister, replacing the late Chumpol Silapa-archa, a well-informed source from the Chart Thai Pattana Party said yesterday.

Chart Thai Pattana politicians trusted by de facto party leader Banharn Silapa-archa are still serving five-year political bans, so they cannot be selected for the Sports portfolio, the source said. The bans will expire in 11 months.

The source said there are three possible non-politicians outside Chart Thai Pattana whom Banharn may select as the new sports minister.

One is Somsak Phurisrisak, former Suphan Buri governor. According to the source, Banharn pushed Somsak to become deputy Suphan Buri governor and later he was promoted to the governor position with Banharn's support.

Somsak remained as Suphan Buri governor until he retired on September 30, 2012.

The second candidate is Sombat Khuruphan, former permanent secretary for the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the source said.

Sombat is also trusted by Banharn and he is now an assistant to the sports minister.

The third candidate is Suwat Sitthilor, current permanent secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry. If Banharn selects Suwat, he will have to resign from the top permanent position before his retirement on September 30.

The source said it was impossible that Banharn would give the position to his brother, Pongpol Adireksarn, who recently joined the Chart Thai Pattana. The source explained the new minister must come under Banharn's control, which Pongpol would not tolerate.

Another source from the party, meanwhile, said Banharn would likely nominate Suwat to lead the Tourism and Sports Ministry, as he has worked closely with Banharn and Chumpol for a long time.

The source, who asked not to be named, also said Banharn would nominate Agriculture Minister Yukol Limlaemthong to succeed Chumpol as deputy prime minister.

Banharn is expected to announce the nominations early next month.

Meanwhile, a source from the coalition-leader Pheu Thai Party said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would not take a chance in changing the sports minister by reshuffling ministers from the Pheu Thai quota.

The source said Yingluck would not change her economic ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, now.

"At the moment, the government is pushing ahead key policies, such as the national strategies and the 2014 budget bill, and the bill to borrow Bt2 trillion for investment in infrastructures. So, the prime minister will need the economic team, especially Kittiratt. As a result, nothing will be changed for now," the source said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-23

They may not be a politician but they sure as hell will be from a 'uniformed' background. Why not try a 'real' non-military, non-police person for once - if one such person exists in Thailand?

I thought a minster was an elected politician ? Maybe it's another Amazing Thailand moment, or in this case, Amazing Yinluck,

It seems being a politician is not a requirement to occupy a political post in the Thai government and Banham can't give the position to his brother because he isn't loyal.

What about his dog instead?

I thought a minster was an elected politician ? Maybe it's another Amazing Thailand moment, or in this case, Amazing Yinluck,

Not neccessarily - the UK doesn't require a minister to be elected either.

I thought a minster was an elected politician ? Maybe it's another Amazing Thailand moment, or in this case, Amazing Yinluck,

Not neccessarily - the UK doesn't require a minister to be elected either.

Nor Canada. An appointment to the Senate allows an unelected person to become a cabinet minister.

Get the skiing violin chick . She will sort em out .

non-politician outside government maybe Big T as he is always quitting politics. This gets the rice scam off front page.

Edited January 23, 201313 yr by moe666

I thought a minster was an elected politician ? Maybe it's another Amazing Thailand moment, or in this case, Amazing Yinluck,

Not neccessarily - the UK doesn't require a minister to be elected either.

Same in Norway and Sweden, but you can appoint a minister that is suited for the job, wich is most unlikely in LOS, but have the right background like the other post say

Why not?

None of the others are politicions either.

the prime minister will need the economic team, especially Kittiratt

In case another white lie is needed.

It seems the best person for the job is anyone that Banharn can control. I suppose Surapong has set a precedent.

I was wondering if the government was serious abut reunification would not appointing a Democrat go a long way towards that.

Maybe but not in this life time with this government.

Edited January 23, 201313 yr by hellodolly

So here we have ANOTHER ex PM dictating who will or won't fill a cabinet seat and this one is not EVEN from the majority party.

When I read "non-politician likely to fill Minister post' there was a moment I feared we might get a real expert on the subject. Then I saw "three possible non-politicians outside Chart Thai Pattana whom Banharn may select as the new sports minister."

Whoever they choose, at this point we can presume that they are just as I'll equipped for the job and just as corrupt as any of the 'politicians' who are lining up for the lottery payout, sorry, job.

When I read "non-politician likely to fill Minister post' there was a moment I feared we might get a real expert on the subject. Then I saw "three possible non-politicians outside Chart Thai Pattana whom Banharn may select as the new sports minister."

Here's my choice for a 'non-politician' to fill the Sports and Tourism portfolio.

When I read "non-politician likely to fill Minister post' there was a moment I feared we might get a real expert on the subject. Then I saw "three possible non-politicians outside Chart Thai Pattana whom Banharn may select as the new sports minister."

What were those characteristics again that Yingluck assured us were inherent in all her Cabinet Ministers?

.

Edited January 23, 201313 yr by Buchholz

When I read "non-politician likely to fill Minister post' there was a moment I feared we might get a real expert on the subject. Then I saw "three possible non-politicians outside Chart Thai Pattana whom Banharn may select as the new sports minister."

What were those characteristics again that Yingluck assured us were inherent in all her Cabinet Ministers?

.

Shin DNA?

When I read "non-politician likely to fill Minister post' there was a moment I feared we might get a real expert on the subject. Then I saw "three possible non-politicians outside Chart Thai Pattana whom Banharn may select as the new sports minister."

What were those characteristics again that Yingluck assured us were inherent in all her Cabinet Ministers?

'knowledge', 'capabilities', potential' with a bit of 'suitability' thrown in later.

As the PM-elect mentioned those characteristics she used as criteria for admission in her cabinet, we can hardly call that pre-election promises only, now can we

When I read "non-politician likely to fill Minister post' there was a moment I feared we might get a real expert on the subject. Then I saw "three possible non-politicians outside Chart Thai Pattana whom Banharn may select as the new sports minister."

Momentarily, I thought they were going to appoint Thaksin to Culture and Sports minister in abstentia. Or perhaps, because they did not need to be qualified, one of the few of the Shinawatra clan who does not already hold a position in the current government.. hang on.. Isn't ruling through bloodlines considered a monarchy or a dictatorship?

It doesn't matter who they appoint, nothing will change in the current government. The fish rots from the head, and the head is already well bloated and rotten.

I vote Sombat Simlah (check him on YouTube) of Mahasarakham for Culture and sports minister. At least he is amazingly talented.