Cabinet choices show PM Yingluck relies on technocrats

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POLITICS
Cabinet choices show PM relies on technocrats
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation



6 of 55 reassigned are 'upgraded' senior bureaucrats

BANGKOK: -- OVER THE PAST two years, the Yingluck Shinawatra administration has made numerous Cabinet reshuffles involving 55 ministers. Most recently, six former senior bureaucrats were "upgraded" by being appointed as ministers.

Chaikasem Nitisiri, former attorney general, was made justice minister, while Benja Louicharoen left the helm as director-general of the Customs Department three months before retirement to take over as deputy finance minister.

Yanyong Phuangrach, former permanent secretary of Commerce Ministry, was made deputy commerce minister.

The other three who are from the quota of coalition partners are: Yukol Limlamthong, former permanent secretary of the Agriculture Ministry, who became agriculture minister; former Suphan Buri governor Somsak Pureesrisak, now tourism and sports minister; and Pongsvas Svasti, a former candidate for the position of rector of Thammasat University, an industry minister in one of Yingluck's earlier cabinets.

One of the first questions asked by the media was whether these bureaucrats were appointed as ministers because they were pro-Pheu Thai Party or had served ousted and fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in any way.

Chaikasem insisted this was not the case. He said he was appointed solely because he was the right man for the job. While serving as attorney general, he said, on some occasions he had to bring legal cases against Thaksin to court, while at other times he withdrew cases against him. "I'm very straightforward on such matters," Chaikasem has been quoted as saying.

As for Benja, she said she could swear her appointment had nothing to do with politics, and that all scrutiny was welcomed, adding that Prime Minister Yingluck was the one who contacted her to join the Cabinet. Yanyong is no different and stressed that his appointment had nothing to do with politics, adding that he earns less money taking up the post than working as a business adviser.

Sources say appointing former top bureaucrats to Cabinet is not unexpected, especially when considering the difficulties the administration faced in trying to push officials to pursue its policies to tackle the flood crisis in 2011, without senior bureaucrats as their enablers.

Bureaucrats who worked with both Thaksin and Yingluck said there were three reasons some senior bureaucrats and technocrats accepted cabinet portfolios.

First, political power is tempting after working closely with politicians.

Second, the prime minister wants an assurance that things will move up the bureaucratic ladder smoothly when orders are given. She also wants a sense of security that nothing against bureaucratic regulations will be committed, as the opposition is only too ready to take improper conduct or orders to court or to the so-called independent bodies.

Third, in Thaksin's case, such practice reflected his style of management wherein he has the habit of taking into his fold anyone seen as competent to strengthen his political and management base.

Proportionally, the cabinets of the Yingluck and Thaksin Shinawatra administrations seem to have had similar numbers of technocrats. Meanwhile, having too many bureaucrat-ministers, as in the Surayud Chulanont administration, tends to slow down the work of government, the sources said.

Not all bureaucrats-turned-politicians find their lives bearable, however. Wissanu Krea-ngam, cabinet secretary-general turned deputy prime minister, resigned three months before the coup of September 19, 2006, citing unbearable weight of pressure from society as the Thaksin Shinawatra administration became increasingly unpopular and opposed by more people.

"I didn't imagine there would be such friction ... For friction inside the party, you still have the reserve power of the PM to protect you - but if it's coming from outside, even the premier can't survive. I think I am not tolerant enough," he said.

Charuaypon Torranin, commissioner of merit system protection, said there was nothing wrong with technocrats becoming ministers. However, they must not show too much political favouritism as it might backfire on them.

Some bureaucrats have been seen as an opposition within the government. Thawil Pliensri was transferred from the post of National Security Council secretary-general, to which he was appointed in the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, to a PM's advisory post, while deputy permanent secretary of finance Supa Piyajitti has been under investigation since revealing data about the rice-pledging scheme to parliamentary committees.


-- The Nation 2013-07-23

[Stradavarius37]

When do we get to the point where she relies on competence? Hub of crappy politicians!

[Robby nz]

OVER THE PAST two years, the Yingluck Shinawatra administration has made numerous Cabinet reshuffles involving 55 ministers. Most recently, six former senior bureaucrats were "upgraded" by being appointed as ministers.

So even if we accept that these 6 are good choices and not political appointees that leaves the other 49 ...............................................

Then of course we have :

The other three who are from the quota of coalition partners

Which are part of the bribes to get the parasite parties onside.

[bigbamboo]

The article states there are three reasons why some bureaucrats and technocrats accept cabinet positions but only one is valid..... power. The other two are reasons why Y and T offer them in the first place.

Of course they omitted the real reason why any of these civil servants join the cabinet trough..... money.

[CIHUAHUA]

How many misdeals can you have in a political card game?

[Pib]

The article states there are three reasons why some bureaucrats and technocrats accept cabinet positions but only one is valid..... power. The other two are reasons why Y and T offer them in the first place.

Of course they omitted the real reason why any of these civil servants join the cabinet trough..... money.

Well, money is no doubt a big factor but an even bigger factor is "status." To the common Thai people in such high positions are almost thought of as gods.

[Pib]

The article states there are three reasons why some bureaucrats and technocrats accept cabinet positions but only one is valid..... power. The other two are reasons why Y and T offer them in the first place.

Of course they omitted the real reason why any of these civil servants join the cabinet trough..... money.

Well, money is no doubt a big factor but an even bigger factor is "status." To the common Thai people in such high positions are almost thought of as gods.

[indyuk]

Constant review and adjustment of governement functions and their responsible ministers requires insightful management, courage and vision.

Edited July 23, 2013 by indyuk

[siampolee]

One needs to remember that when someone is thrust into a position of which they have no prior knowledge of or experience of that they must surround themselves with acolytes who can kow tow to the office holder irrespective of whether that office holder is overt or covert matters not.When the effluent hits the fan the acolytes are expendable.

Of course the nominee's are often gaining reward for services offered in the past and of course being introduced to the concept of debt loyalty and as already stated the face status scenario. Let's be totally honest, these positions are rewards and political Kelvar apparel for an inept Prime Minister nothing more and nothing less.As the song goes ''My God How the Money Rolls In.''

[Bagwan]

In an enlightened commercial organisation one is usually given a period of grace, say six months, to get a handle on what is required and to perform to an acceptable standard. After a given period, say two years, boredom or self satisfaction becomes a danger and opportunities for advancement must be made available if one is to retain that person's services. If not then it presents an advancement opportunity for an underling when the subject realises it it is time to move to pastures new.

This constant shuffling of Phu Yais can only be a hinderance to good management and is an indication of the placement in position being a mistake in the first place.

[khunken]

Constant review and adjustment of governement functions and their responsible ministers requires insightful management, courage and vision.

Not with the present government. Shin acolytes rule the roost and frequent ministerial shuffles are a sign that too many of them are incompetent & probably corrupt.

Kittirat, Plodprasop - along with the demoted Chalerm - would be fired by any competent administration. That's just a start as they are the worst examples.

[marell]

I like it. You have to admit 'technocrat' sounds better than 'crony'.

[Payboy]

I'm already missing Chalerm's sound bytes, and its been only a couple of weeks or so since he's been sentenced to hard labour.

[khunken]

I'm already missing Chalerm's sound bytes, and its been only a couple of weeks or so since he's been sentenced to hard labour.

I'm going to fix that loose tile in my lounge floor within the next 3 months. There you are!

[Valentine]

I'm already missing Chalerm's sound bytes, and its been only a couple of weeks or so since he's been sentenced to hard labour.

Don't consign him to the dustbin yet. Some of you may have overlooked a wee snippet of news which stated the labour minister will assume responsibility for how the massive amount of money from the Social Security Fund are used.

[Thai at Heart]

In an enlightened commercial organisation one is usually given a period of grace, say six months, to get a handle on what is required and to perform to an acceptable standard. After a given period, say two years, boredom or self satisfaction becomes a danger and opportunities for advancement must be made available if one is to retain that person's services. If not then it presents an advancement opportunity for an underling when the subject realises it it is time to move to pastures new.

This constant shuffling of Phu Yais can only be a hinderance to good management and is an indication of the placement in position being a mistake in the first place.

Or that they are all equally incompetent?

[mikemac]

Constant review and adjustment of governement functions and their responsible ministers requires insightful management, courage and vision.

That reminds me, I must put out the garbage.