Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this govt?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this govt?
Samudcha Hoonsara
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It's not a matter of if, but when, the next Cabinet reshuffle will take place. In fact, people wonder whether the change will be significant enough to bring about a major overhaul to shore up the government's performance.

Although Yingluck is regarded as less competent in management than her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, she has been seen in a positive light for her soft approach in dodging hot issues or attacking her rivals. Her critics however wonder whether the PM does not know what to say - or just wants to avoid problems.

Members of the 111 Thai Rak Thai executives are judged by their competency as the A list, while the current Cabinet is seen as only the C list. It's obvious that the A list team must now come to the government's rescue.

If Yingluck stubbornly picks from the C list or chooses only candidates she favours to fill her new Cabinet, the government's days are numbered. The move to woo "outsiders" to rescue the administration is reputedly rejected because problems rocking the government are not only too tough to crack but the government's popularity has sharply declined. Nobody wants to join a sinking political boat.

Ministers who must be replaced first are those in the Commerce Ministry. The immediate predicament faced by the Yingluck administration is the protest by farmers who have given it seven days to review its decision to reduce the rice pledging scheme. A can of worms is the systematic corruption in the rice pledging scheme that is said to have caused the loss of billions of baht.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom was clueless about how the scheme arrived at such a state. Even his deputy Nattawut Saikua cannot help him remove public doubt. This could be because he knows only part of the truth, or he knows everything but cannot tell the public, so he finds only lame excuses for his boss.

A source has confirmed Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat na Ranong will definitely not accept being moved to the Commerce Ministry because he "does not want to clean up other people's shit."

The Education Ministry gained credit with the free tablet scheme, but time has shown it has lost touch because many schools don't even have electricity. Students waste time on high-tech gadgets when they cannot fluently read or write Thai. But the tablet policy was one of the government's major populist policies.

The Education Minister and his deputy have failed to upgrade education standards to prepare the country for the ASEAN Economic Community. Whatever ideas they've produced were controversial - for instance, scrapping the ban on student hair styles, reducing classroom hours, to merge schools and hunt down the culprits in the irregularities in teacher aid exams.

Removing Science & Technology Minister Voravat Auapinyakul will not raise any eyebrows because he's a man who whips up controversy. The minister is facing uncertainty even though he has strong political back up.

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has not boosted the government's popularity by helping the under-privileged and providing Thais with good social welfare. This may be because the minister is always in the PM's shadow.

Since Dr Pradit Sinthawanarong took the helm at Education, the ministry has been torn by conflict and bad press. One reason: Pradit refuses to compromise to reach understanding. His chances of holding his post are slim.

The Interior Ministry is the number one indicator of the government's popularity. The minister and his two deputies must answer why they deserve not to be kicked out.

Finally, Government House officials said the government is uneasy about the role of a Deputy PM who always crosses the line and creates adverse publicity unnecessarily. The PM will have to answer - will this particular official be removed because "the buck stops here."


-- The Nation 2013-06-28

[Siripon]

Pradit is Minister of Health not Education.

There has been no good news coming from this government for some time now.

Only fiascos- the rice mortgage scheme, the failed Expo bid, the rushed Flood Management project halted by the courts.

Everything has been their own undoing.

And they haven't even explained their first year achievements to Parliament yet!!

[Robby nz]

Quite a few DCM's to be handed out then.

The TRT gang will then come in to fill the spaces as they all have a proven record of cheating and deception that earned them a 5yr suspension from politics.

And Yingluck will likely be minister of defense, more like minister of sitting on de fence.

They will need some really powerful ideas and changes of direction to save PT from here on in.

[worgeordie]

Just shuffling places at the trough.

regards Worgeordie

[GentlemanJim]

A source has confirmed Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat na Ranong will definitely not accept being moved to the Commerce Ministry because he "does not want to clean up other people's shit."

I think the 'source' deserves a Ministerial slot. Nice to see someone connected able to tell it as it is, even if it is his driver! It's given me a good giggle.

NOW!!!! My wife is telling me, it's on the news that Chalerm has been dumped on and given the job nobody ever wants, Minister of Labour! Is it true? Where is the news? If It's true, happy hour starts at 10 am

[Roadman]

The 'me' mentality of Thais is shown in this heading "Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this government".

Not even an English published newspaper can get their head around that it should be "Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this economy".

[GentlemanJim]

The other newspaper have Chalerm off to the Labour Ministry!

[bigbamboo]

Since when did Yingluck pick anyone to fill her cabinet?

[saltandpepper]

Since when did Yingluck pick anyone to fill her cabinet?

It never happened!

[ggold]

The 'me' mentality of Thais is shown in this heading "Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this government".

Not even an English published newspaper can get their head around that it should be "Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this economy".

Surely the heading is right! When did this government ever care about the economy? It's only about one man and how he can get a get out of jail card for free. Or take the whole country down with him.

[Pib]

I don't know if a cabinet reshuffle will save the govt but it will sure allow the released ministers to be blamed for the problems and allow the replacement ministers to say, "That's history now; give me time to fix the problem since I will only have about a year before I'm replaced."

[Thaddeus]

Since when did Yingluck pick anyone to fill her cabinet?

There is only one that fills their own cabinet here, and then empties it one glass at a time.

[ratcatcher]

I don't know if a cabinet reshuffle will save the govt but it will sure allow the released ministers to be blamed for the problems and allow the replacement ministers to say, "That's history now; give me time to fix the problem since I will only have about a year before I'm replaced."

[OzMick]

Just how will anew Minister of Commerce turn a stinking dunghill into a rose garden? Will he be a magician who can conjure the millions of tons of missing rice and the hundreds of billions of baht?

BTW the suggestion that Chalerm will be dumped is ludicrous; he is Thaksin's man and will not be moved. A fat leech bloated with wealth stolen from the taxpayers of Thailand, only fire will loosen his grip.

Edited June 28, 2013 by OzMick

[Thai at Heart]

Just how will anew Minister of Commerce turn a stinking dunghill into a rose garden? Will he be a magician who can conjure the millions of tons of missing rice and the hundreds of billions of baht?

BTW the suggestion that Chalerm will be dumped is ludicrous; he is Thaksin's man and will not be moved. A fat leech bloated with wealth stolen from the taxpayers of Thailand, only fire will loosen his grip.

Deputy PM is perfect for him. He is technically responsible for nothing directly, and gets the chance to mouth off about anything and everything.

[jbrain]

This government starts to look as if they are specialised in performing Musical Chair.

How many cabinet changes we had already ?

[Halion]

The purpose of this government and it's constant position changes is simply a ploy to deflect blame and provide the PM with an argument that she has done something about the poor performance of her cabinet and the subsequent scandals that have to be swept under the carpet. Just a reorginisation of the blame hounds in an attempt to distance herself from accountability.

[Robby nz]

As minister of Defense Yingluck will be the one who gets to say who can ride in the air force A320.

Could be why she is getting the job.

Go pick up big brother and take him to......................................................

[Baerboxer]

Pradit is Minister of Health not Education.

There has been no good news coming from this government for some time now.

Only fiascos- the rice mortgage scheme, the failed Expo bid, the rushed Flood Management project halted by the courts.

Everything has been their own undoing.

And they haven't even explained their first year achievements to Parliament yet!!

"And they haven't even explained their first year achievements to Parliament yet!!"

Well, that won't be a long session then !!

[Bluespunk]

Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this govt?

From what? Stupidity? Greed? Incompetence? If so then no.

Will it allow them to keep plundering the country? Now that is a tricky question.

[Lite Beer]

ANALYSIS
Cabinet reshuffle puts a new face on govt image
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The fifth Cabinet line-up of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being viewed as an attempt to revamp the fortunes of the Pheu Thai government, following a barrage of problems - including the rice-pledging crisis - that has seen the government's popularity nose-dive in recent weeks.

The fifth Cabinet line-up of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being viewed as an attempt to revamp the fortunes of the Pheu Thai government, following a barrage of problems - including the rice-pledging crisis - that has seen the government's popularity nose-dive in recent weeks.

With those ministers named in the reshuffle, which is expected to be announced soon, it is hoped a new Cabinet will emerge that is better equipped to salvage the current political impasse and deal more effectively with potential problems facing the coalition government.

The first course of action will be to remove those Cabinet members considered to have become a liability for the government. Among them will be Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom for his role in the rice-pledging debacle - although he is only a scapegoat. Sacrificing Boonsong is the best option to salvage the situation because Yingluck cannot be held directly responsible, and the government cannot allow a probe, which carries the risk of unearthing those behind Boonsong's mistakes.

The rice-pledging debacle is believed to be the main reason for prompting Yingluck to reshuffle her Cabinet in advance of the planned reshuffle in August - when the government turns two years old.

It is also expected that Science Minister Worawat Auapinyakul will be removed because of image problems. He has reportedly interfered in budgeting for the National Science and Technology Development Agency, leading to protests by staff.

The new Cabinet will also boost the image of the government because most of the ministers will be new faces with clean reputations. They include Chaturon Chaisaeng, former acting leader of the Thai Rak Thai. He will become education minister, a position he used to hold.

Paveena Hongsakul, the "angel" of all children and women, will become the social development and human security minister.

However, extremist red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan will not receive any post. According to political analysts, former prime minister and de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, has decided to drop Jatuporn from the next cabinet because he wants to return home.

With Jatuporn gone, opposition against the government would subside significantly - although Thaksin will need to ensure that red-shirt support for the government remains strong. And yet, Jatuporn's United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship is not the only red-shirt group. Thaksin has at his disposal the services of several other red-shirt groups, especially those in the northern and northeastern provinces. The former PM also maintains ties with the UDD by retaining Natthawut Saikua in the Cabinet.

The reshuffle will also strengthen Yingluck's ties with the armed forces as she will continue to hold the position of defence minister - an indication that the government intends to use a "soft" approach with military leaders - thus boosting Thaksin's chances of returning to Thailand. Yinkluck is the only person who can talk amicably with Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. She will replace ACM Sukampol Suwannathat and will be assisted by Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapha, who will become deputy defence minister.

In addition, several technocrats will be brought in to help the government handle political hurdles. For example, former attorney-general Chaikasem Nitisiri will become justice minister, while former permanent secretary for Commerce, Yanyong Puangrat, will be made deputy commerce minister, and Benja Louisecharoen, former Customs Department chief, will be elevated to deputy finance minister.

Still, the appointments could lead to criticism that the government has rewarded permanent officials who have sided with Thaksin.

Yanyong has fiercely defended the barrage of criticism from Democrats over the rising price of consumer goods and the rice-pledging scheme.

Benja, on the other hand, played a prominent role when Shin Corp shares were sold to the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings. She was the deputy director-general of the Revenue Department at that time and insisted that the Shinawatra family did not have to pay taxes on the share sale.

The reshuffle is also being done to reward those who have worked hard for Pheu Thai. For example, Pirapan Palusuk, a Yasothon MP who is a legal expert of the party, will become science minister.

Wichet Kasemthongsri, another close aide of Thaksin's, who was only recently appointed chairman of PTT Plc's board of directors, has now resigned so that he can take up his new Cabinet position as natural resources and environment minister.

The Pheu Thai will also have Snoh Thienthong's son, Sorawong Thienthong, replace Snoh's nephew, Thanis Thienthong, as the deputy industry minister.

Finally, Yingluck and Thaksin will not remove Chalerm Yoobamrung from the Cabinet, although he will be downgraded from his current post of deputy prime minister to become labour minister as he is still a useful political heavy-weight for the government.

It quickly becomes clear that the reshuffle has been undertaken to improve the fortunes of the government, but it remains to be seen whether it will have tangible benefits for the country in the long-term.

-- The Nation 2013-06-28

[GentlemanJim]

Just how will anew Minister of Commerce turn a stinking dunghill into a rose garden? Will he be a magician who can conjure the millions of tons of missing rice and the hundreds of billions of baht?

BTW the suggestion that Chalerm will be dumped is ludicrous; he is Thaksin's man and will not be moved. A fat leech bloated with wealth stolen from the taxpayers of Thailand, only fire will loosen his grip.

So what would you call the demotion of Chalerm to what is considered the worst job in the Cabinet, Minister of Labour? I would say dumped. He will be out completely by the next reshuffle.

[EyesWideOpen]

These cabinet reshuffles somewhat mystify me. They just seem to shuffle different crooks into different positions. Not really sure why anybody would think a new set of crooks would change anything for the better. And now allowing the formerly banned TRT crooks back into positions of power is simply too funny for words. No need to even imply they are crooks, they are have already been proven to be so !!!!!!! Amazing Thailand indeed....

[Soutpeel]

The Education Ministry gained credit with the free tablet scheme, but time has shown it has lost touch because many schools don't even have electricity

This is the saddest or funniest line in this article dependent on which way you look at it......Chocolate teapots anyone ?

[Soutpeel]

These cabinet reshuffles somewhat mystify me. They just seem to shuffle different crooks into different positions. Not really sure why anybody would think a new set of crooks would change anything for the better. And now allowing the formerly banned TRT crooks back into positions of power is simply too funny for words. No need to even imply they are crooks, they are have already been proven to be so !!!!!!! Amazing Thailand indeed....

You obviously dont understand Thai politics.....its got nothing to do with a new goverment image/putting "better" people in charge...current cabinet have had their snouts in the trough long enough its now a new set of snouts who want their turn

[Soutpeel]

Just how will anew Minister of Commerce turn a stinking dunghill into a rose garden? Will he be a magician who can conjure the millions of tons of missing rice and the hundreds of billions of baht?

BTW the suggestion that Chalerm will be dumped is ludicrous; he is Thaksin's man and will not be moved. A fat leech bloated with wealth stolen from the taxpayers of Thailand, only fire will loosen his grip.

So what would you call the demotion of Chalerm to what is considered the worst job in the Cabinet, Minister of Labour? I would say dumped. He will be out completely by the next reshuffle.

put him in charge of food and beverages, well at least the beverages...sure he will do a great job...

Edited June 28, 2013 by Soutpeel

[Sunisalom]

Since when did Yingluck pick anyone to fill her cabinet?

There is only one that fills their own cabinet here, and then empties it one glass at a time.

I thought that was Chalerm, not Yingluck.

Sunisa.

[Thai at Heart]

As minister of Defense Yingluck will be the one who gets to say who can ride in the air force A320.

Could be why she is getting the job.

Go pick up big brother and take him to......................................................

No matter how much it is worth, as prime minister of Thailand I would never get on that plane.

It would be even more stupid than ekkayuht hiring a convicted murderer as a driver.

It's insured anyway. Who would care two figs to blow it up?

[bkkgriz]

"The Education Ministry gained credit with the free tablet scheme, but time has shown it has lost touch because many schools don't even have electricity. Students waste time on high-tech gadgets when they cannot fluently read or write Thai. But the tablet policy was one of the government's major populist policies."

I'm no expert on the rice scam scheme, car scam scheme or any of the other scams schemes this government has cooked up. But I have seen the student tablet scam scheme in action. P1 students got the tablets at my school last year. I think they played with them once and they have not been seen since. Teachers have no idea how to implement them into their lessons. They have been given no training on how to use them in the classroom. They are pathetic devices really. The apps loaded on the the tabs are pratically worthless for educational purposes. I saw that the next round of bidding has begun. So this scam scheme is ongoing. What a joke.

[hellodolly]

ANALYSIS

Cabinet reshuffle puts a new face on govt image

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The fifth Cabinet line-up of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being viewed as an attempt to revamp the fortunes of the Pheu Thai government, following a barrage of problems - including the rice-pledging crisis - that has seen the government's popularity nose-dive in recent weeks.

The fifth Cabinet line-up of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being viewed as an attempt to revamp the fortunes of the Pheu Thai government, following a barrage of problems - including the rice-pledging crisis - that has seen the government's popularity nose-dive in recent weeks.

With those ministers named in the reshuffle, which is expected to be announced soon, it is hoped a new Cabinet will emerge that is better equipped to salvage the current political impasse and deal more effectively with potential problems facing the coalition government.

The first course of action will be to remove those Cabinet members considered to have become a liability for the government. Among them will be Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom for his role in the rice-pledging debacle - although he is only a scapegoat. Sacrificing Boonsong is the best option to salvage the situation because Yingluck cannot be held directly responsible, and the government cannot allow a probe, which carries the risk of unearthing those behind Boonsong's mistakes.

The rice-pledging debacle is believed to be the main reason for prompting Yingluck to reshuffle her Cabinet in advance of the planned reshuffle in August - when the government turns two years old.

It is also expected that Science Minister Worawat Auapinyakul will be removed because of image problems. He has reportedly interfered in budgeting for the National Science and Technology Development Agency, leading to protests by staff.

The new Cabinet will also boost the image of the government because most of the ministers will be new faces with clean reputations. They include Chaturon Chaisaeng, former acting leader of the Thai Rak Thai. He will become education minister, a position he used to hold.

Paveena Hongsakul, the "angel" of all children and women, will become the social development and human security minister.

However, extremist red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan will not receive any post. According to political analysts, former prime minister and de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, has decided to drop Jatuporn from the next cabinet because he wants to return home.

With Jatuporn gone, opposition against the government would subside significantly - although Thaksin will need to ensure that red-shirt support for the government remains strong. And yet, Jatuporn's United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship is not the only red-shirt group. Thaksin has at his disposal the services of several other red-shirt groups, especially those in the northern and northeastern provinces. The former PM also maintains ties with the UDD by retaining Natthawut Saikua in the Cabinet.

The reshuffle will also strengthen Yingluck's ties with the armed forces as she will continue to hold the position of defence minister - an indication that the government intends to use a "soft" approach with military leaders - thus boosting Thaksin's chances of returning to Thailand. Yinkluck is the only person who can talk amicably with Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. She will replace ACM Sukampol Suwannathat and will be assisted by Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapha, who will become deputy defence minister.

In addition, several technocrats will be brought in to help the government handle political hurdles. For example, former attorney-general Chaikasem Nitisiri will become justice minister, while former permanent secretary for Commerce, Yanyong Puangrat, will be made deputy commerce minister, and Benja Louisecharoen, former Customs Department chief, will be elevated to deputy finance minister.

Still, the appointments could lead to criticism that the government has rewarded permanent officials who have sided with Thaksin.

Yanyong has fiercely defended the barrage of criticism from Democrats over the rising price of consumer goods and the rice-pledging scheme.

Benja, on the other hand, played a prominent role when Shin Corp shares were sold to the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings. She was the deputy director-general of the Revenue Department at that time and insisted that the Shinawatra family did not have to pay taxes on the share sale.

The reshuffle is also being done to reward those who have worked hard for Pheu Thai. For example, Pirapan Palusuk, a Yasothon MP who is a legal expert of the party, will become science minister.

Wichet Kasemthongsri, another close aide of Thaksin's, who was only recently appointed chairman of PTT Plc's board of directors, has now resigned so that he can take up his new Cabinet position as natural resources and environment minister.

The Pheu Thai will also have Snoh Thienthong's son, Sorawong Thienthong, replace Snoh's nephew, Thanis Thienthong, as the deputy industry minister.

Finally, Yingluck and Thaksin will not remove Chalerm Yoobamrung from the Cabinet, although he will be downgraded from his current post of deputy prime minister to become labour minister as he is still a useful political heavy-weight for the government.

It quickly becomes clear that the reshuffle has been undertaken to improve the fortunes of the government, but it remains to be seen whether it will have tangible benefits for the country in the long-term.

-- The Nation 2013-06-28

Will Thaksin still be allowed to Skype into the cabinet Meetings?

"Pirapan Palusuk, a Yasothon MP who is a legal expert of the party, will become science minister"

A legal expert taking the science minister position In other words same same thinking going into who gets a seat. No qualifications necessary.

For sure the Education minister will have to go. He came out last week and said the system was not working and needed to be changed. Teachers and students must learn to use logic and think things out. Not exactly the words he used but the exact intent. Defiantly not a PTP wish.

Sounds like a plan bringing in members of the banned 111. They have experience and know how to get the party banned.