One would have thought Abhisit Vejjajiva could have done better in cobbling together a more "presentable" Cabinet line-up.
But as it turned out, it was quite a disappointment, especially for those who had expected him to come up with a more impressive group of ministers in charge of economic affairs.
The commerce minister (Ms Porntiva Nakasai) and industry minister (Chanchai Chairungruang)'s only qualifications were that they represent the interests of two coalition partners -- former Machima and Pueau Paendin. No experience. No record. No professional acceptance by the public.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij may have had some experience in the private financial sector. But this is also his first major assignment at the national level. Tourism Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa was put in this post only because the core leadership of Chat Thai Party has been banned from politics for five years by the Constitutional Court.
The only reason that Premier Abhisit's first Cabinet setup is such a poor show is political. Abhisit admits that he has to "strike a proper balance" to maintain political stability. In other words, he has to turn a blind eye to inefficiency and political expediency in order to be able to stay in power.
But didn't he say that although numbers may count in politics but it's the quality of work and popular acceptance that is the ultimate proof?
Well, he had better start proving that he means what he says before he gets into more turbulence that lies ahead.
1 comment:
Indeed if this cabinet were to be one of Thai Rak Thai or PPP or Puea Thai, the Democrats will harshly criticize the cabinet without even mentioning the difficult political situation or the need to "strike the proper balance".
I think the root cause of this is still the 2007 constitution. The election rules are simply geared toward preventing strong governments and encouraging coalition governments. It attempts to fix the "authoritarian" problem of Thaksin at the wrong place.
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