Thailand: Cabinet revamp gets mixed views

  • The new cabinet line-up has received positive feedback from the private sector but politicians, academics and political activists have warned that the latest shake-up will not bring any change unless the latest shake-up will not bring any change unless the government improves its approach.
  • Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), welcomed the new cabinet, saying several newcomers are recognised by the private sector.
  • However, they need time to adjust and settle into their new jobs while the government must spend its remaining time in office expediting efforts to implement policies that will benefit the economy, Mr Kalin said.
  • Ong-art Klampaibul, deputy Democrat Party leader, said the reshuffle, particularly the changes to the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the Commerce Ministry, responded to public concerns about falling crop prices and economic problems.
  • While there is hope that the new ministers will be better able to deal with these problems, they must also adopt new ideas and working methods that are different from previous ministers.
  • Somkid Chueakong, a former Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani, said the new cabinet is nothing but the “same picture” of authorities serving Gen Prayut.
  • No matter who was removed or brought in, it is still the same government engineered by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), he said.
  • Tida Tawornseth, leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, said appointing Weerasak Kowsurat as the tourism and sports minister is a political strategy as the prime minister and his military government want to make use of Mr Weerasak to become a bridge linking them with people and political parties. Mr Weerasak is a member of the Chartthaipattana Party.
  • Ms Tida said that appointing Mr Wiwat as deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister came as no surprise for her as she was certain that the prime minister and his government wanted to use Mr Wiwat as a bridge to connect with the grass roots in the country.

External Link : https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1366879/cabinet-revamp-gets-mixed-views

28-Nov-2017