New Mandala

12 responses so far ↓

• 1 Srithanonchai // Feb 7, 2008 at 12:32 am

  Anyway, let’s celebrate the democratically elected nominee/”ugly duckling”/bunkhun/royally endorsed Samak I cabinet:

  King endorses new cabinet members

  (BangkokPost.com) – His Majesty the King endorsed new cabinet led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Wednesday afternoon.
  Mr Samak then led the 35 new ministers for the sworn-in ceremony held at the Chitralada Palace.
  New cabinet members are as followed:
  Prime Minister: Samak Sundaravej, also Defence Minister
  Deputy Prime Minister: Somchai Wongsawat, also Education Minister
  Deputy Prime Minister: Surapong Suebwonglee, also Finance Minister
  Deputy Prime Minister: Mingkwan Saengsuwan, also Commerce Minister
  Deputy Prime Minister: Suvit Khunkitti, also Industry Minister
  Deputy Prime Minister: Sanan Kachornprasart
  Deputy Prime Minister: Sahas Banditkul
  Prime Minister’s Office Minister: Jakrapob Penkair
  Prime Minister’s Office Minister: Chusak Sirinil
  Interior Minister: Chalerm Yubumroong
  Deputy Interior Minister: Supol Fong-ngarm
  Deputy Interior Minister: Sitthichai Kowasurat
  Deputy Finance Minister: Pradit Pattaraprasit
  Deputy Finance Minister: Ranongrak Suwanchawee
  Deputy Commerce Minister: Wirun Techapaiboon
  Deputy Commerce Minister: Banyin Tungpakorn
  Transport Minister: Santi Promphan
  Deputy Transport Minister: Songsak Thongsri
  Deputy Transport Minister: Anurak Jureemart
  Agriculture and Cooperative Minister: Somsak Prisnananthakul
  Deputy Agriculture and Cooperative Minister: Sompat Kaewpichit
  Deputy Agriculture and Cooperative Minister: Thirachai Sankaew
  Energy Minister: Poonpirom Liptapanlop
  Tourism and Sports Minister: Weerasak Kowsurat
  Information and Communications Technology Minister: Man Pattanothai
  Science and Technology Minister: Wutthipong Chaisaeng
  Justice Minister: Sompong Amornwiwat
  Foreign Minister: Noppadon Pattama
  Labour Minister: Uraiwan Thienthong
  Natural Resources and Environment Minister: Anongwan Thepsuthin
  Social Development and Human Security Minister: Sutha Chansaeng
  Culture Minister: Anusorn Wongwan
  Deputy Education Minister: Boonlue Prasertsopha
  Deputy Education Minister: Pongsakorn Annopporn
  Public Health Minister: Chaiya Sasomsup
  Deputy Public Health Minister: Chawarat Charnweerakul

• 2 Céla suffit! // Feb 7, 2008 at 8:45 am

  Speaking of the royal endorsement, here’s what His Majesty had to say about foreign politicians who – unlike Thai powerholders (?) – don’t work for the public good.

  “In other countries, we hardly see people who work for public interest but you have to do it.”
  http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=125766

  Just another example for the king’s distaste for international forms of politics (or his imprudent style of speech).

• 3 Sidh S. // Feb 8, 2008 at 6:02 pm

  As I have mentioned before – and it will become increasingly apparent – PMSamak is his own man, always has been. Getting to the top job at the twilight of his career also proves that he is an opportunist par excellence. He played his role admirably (perfectly in fact) during the PMThaksin Vs PAD saga pre- and post- coup to enter PMThaksin’s innermost circle, as he did his royalist card…

  No, I am not saying PMSamak fooled PMThaksin or vice versa, for this is an intriguing new political game amongst ‘equals’ – especially now that Samak holds the PM post while Thaksin financially commands loyalty of PPP MPs. According to Mr.Thaksin’s script, this government is supposed to be short-lived – around 6 months to a year at most (coinciding with the times rumoured for his return). This ‘interim’ government is suppose to overturn the ban on the 111 former TRT executives, manipulate the Shinawatra’s court cases, and changed the constitution and then make way for PMThaksin’s return to power. The cabinent lineup, clearly of PMThaksin’s picking that even PMSamak himself brand as “ugly”, reflects its intended very short term. PMThaksin will not leave this to chance.

  PMSamak clearly has other ideas and wants to implement his 40 years old agenda of mega-projects, particularly the mass-transit system (which made me go soft on him) – and intends to stay the distance to see it through as much as he could. He knows whether he likes it or not, he is destined to be a one-term prime minister and will extend it as long as he could. All of a sudden, Mr.Thaksin’s priorities is not his and could wait a few years. Naturally he wants to leave his mark (as does Mr.Chalerm it seems – and they will make a strong alliance amidst their pro-Thaksin PPP colleagues) – but this is clearly an uphill battle considering the cards Mr.Thaksin played. PMSamak is also calling this bluff mentioning he might release some of the 111 banned politicians (not all it must be noted) to increase competence in his government (and thus extend its term).

  In effect, I think PMSamak is saying that things will go according to Mr.Thaksin’s script, but on Samak’s terms and timeline. The question is does Mr.Thaksin have that patience?

  His handpicked cabinet lineup clearly makes him much less popular in Bangkok – but he doesn’t care for them now as he did not care for the South since they voted for the Democrats. With an eventual extra unfrozen war chest of USD2billion, he is bound to win everytime anyway.

  The Democrats? With no money they have no choice but to stay on the sidelines – as they had to be during the formation of the PPP government. The sad thing is if Mr.Thaksin’s gamble go awry, with an incompetent cabinet meeting with a global economic recession, they will assume power only to clean up the mess and make career-killing very unpopular decisions – with Mr.Thaksin then coming back to take all the credits for reviving the economy. History repeating itself all over again…

• 4 HRK // Feb 8, 2008 at 7:25 pm

  I don’t understand all this fuss about Samak. In the US we have Bush who was twice elected. In Italy Berlusconi is getting ready again and there are numerous other cases. Now we might doubt in how far those who voted for PPP have a proper understanding of democracy, but we should look in a similar way to the US, Italy (and if you wish as well Germany and France). Unfortunately, not all people seem to be enlightened. However, the big problem is, who actually is enlightened enough? Or, is there an interest to re-install absolutist monarchy, or patrimonial rule?

• 5 Andrew Walker // Feb 8, 2008 at 9:02 pm

  Absolutist monarchy for me please!

• 6 Sidh S. // Feb 9, 2008 at 12:29 pm

  Democracy for me please! The constitutional monarchy that we now have back is fine for me.

  Give PMSamak a chance. The odds may stack (by PMThaksin himself) badly against him but my sense here is one aging prime minister who will try his best to leave a great (at least mega-project wise) legacy however controversial and shady his past is.

  I am only saddened and disappointed with PMThaksin’s insincerity to the country. He had the power to give us – or at least those who voted PPP – a decent, professional cabinet, but clearly chose to prioritize his family’s interests above that of the nation’s (facing a very possible global recession). This is a clear missed opportunity to give democracy good PR post-coup government (at least PPP voters expected another ‘dream team’). But we all only know too well for PMThaksin, democracy in his own words is only a ‘means to an ends’ (the Shinawatras in the top 20, 50 richest family in the world ruling over a ‘modern’, ‘developed’ Thailand – at least image wise).

  The irony here is without PMThaksin’s money, we’ll never have a ‘dream cabinet’ (nor the almost totaly ‘ugly cabinet’ that we currently have) – and this is the carrot package that he will dangle infront of Thai voters. He will return big-time to lead a dream cabinet (I am just stuck with the vision of a big, televised welcome back party at Suvarnabhumi!). Maybe a good way forward is for Thai voters to learn that a ‘half-dream cabinet’ (which the Democrat-led coaition may be able to provide? Or even PMSamak if given his choice of ministers?) is the best we can expect?

• 7 Srithanonchai // Feb 9, 2008 at 2:50 pm

  I can’t say what I want, except that the system should be open. “Absolutist openness”, perhaps? However, I talked to a senior Thai recently. He referred to the British monarchy, saying that this was no monarchy. And he added, “If we had something like this in Thailand, it would mean that we don’t have a monarchy any longer.” To him, obviously, terms such as constitutional monarchy and democracy take on a rather ambivalent meaning when combined with his preference for “real” monarchy (without wanting to return to the pre-1932 situation, I am sure).

• 8 Srithanonchai // Feb 11, 2008 at 6:32 pm

  The elected representatives of the Thai people (who are the sovereign in this country, according to the constitution), do apparently not even have enough democratic maturity to decide about to which place their new meeting place (the National Assembly building) should be moved. See the following news piece (TN, Feb. 11).

  Yongyuth to petition for royal advice on Parliament relocation

  A petition will be submitted for the royal advice of His Majesty the King in regard to the relocation of Parliament building, House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat said on Monday.

  “I was born under the reign of His Majesty and would ask for the royal advice as blessing for Parliament,” he said, insisting he would not do anything to offend the monarch.

• 9 Land of Snarls // Feb 12, 2008 at 2:16 am

  Don’t forget the current Parliament building is on Crown land. They probably want to keep sweet with the landlord.

  (Old music-hall song:

  ‘If you’ve never been in love with the landlady’s daughter -
  You can’t have another piece of pie!’ )

• 10 Sidh S. // Feb 12, 2008 at 5:49 pm

  Worrying signs from Mr.Jakrapob’s intention to “manage” the media. I just hope he doesn’t mean it (haven’t they learn anything at all?)…

  See Bangkok Post editorial today:
  http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Feb2008_news18.php

  And Mr.Suwanban’s letter to Bangkokpost:

  http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Feb2008_news25.php
  Open letter to Jakrapob Penkair
  E-mail: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th / Snail mail: 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

  Your recent comments regarding “managing” broadcast media have got many people worried about your real intentions. There is a sense of de’ja vu.

  Track records show most politicians in your position will always seize the opportunity to cow broadcast journalists, in order to make sure the ruling party has the upper hand, by shamelessly turning the government media outlets into a propaganda machine. As is always the case, the minister will use an “invisible hand” to block critics and opposition. This time, the stakes are higher when you signal that you want to meddle in the newly established Thai PBS.

  Late last year when you were on the other side of the political divide, you complained bitterly about the unfair treatment by most broadcast media outlets. But as you know, during successive governments, journalists working for the Public Relations Department and MCOT who want to keep their careers have had to abandon their professional integrity and bend over to their political master’s whim. It was the same when Thai Rak Thai was in power.

  In the past, I was involved for many years in the BBC-sponsored media training in Thailand for both Channel 9 and Channel 11 journalists. But almost all of my trainees found it difficult to implement “public service editorial code” e.g. accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, etc, in their work environment because of the influence of the “invisible hand”.

  I am writing this letter because you were once an accomplished journalist, and now you are in the position to make history by breaking this vicious circle, and set free all broadcast media. You could break new ground by creating a level playing field and introducing a sense of fair play to the prime minister’s weekly political broadcast. It is only fair to allow the leader of the opposition to make his case shortly after the PM’s broadcast. This is the normal practice among broadcast media in truly democratic countries.

  Your other challenge is to allow the tradition of “public service editorial values” to take root in both Channel 9 and Channel 11 and resist any pressure from your own cabinet colleagues to use the “invisible hand” to influence news and current affairs programming. It is only fair to allow those journalists and their senior managers to do their job professionally without any threat to their jobs.

  But your biggest challenge is to resist any temptation to meddle with the Thai PBS. The country has suffered serious political malaise partly because many media outlets have lost their credibility and public trust. They say gutter press breeds gutter politics, or the reverse may be true. Thai PBS is moulded on the BBC model, recognised as the world’s most trusted broadcaster.

  Are you up to the challenge?

  SOMCHAI SUWANBAN

  Essex, England

• 11 hvan // Feb 12, 2008 at 7:53 pm

  A very prevocative massage!

  Interestingly, many people who frequently talk about democracy tend to advocate undemocratic measures to deal with political crises.

  Is Samak really someone’s puppet? If so, is it really matter? The matter, in my opinion, is that the majority of Thai people have chosen the party who represent them in the parliamentary system by a democratic means.

  The matter is how the new government function to ensure the rule of law, stability as well as prosperity for the people, especially the poor whose voice tended to be downplayed by many Bangkokians who thought that only were they qualified to vote.

  Let the elected government do their job. And if they cannot, it is the people to bring them down.

• 12 Srithanonchai // Feb 13, 2008 at 5:25 pm

  Survey: People happy with Samak! (it’s all about solid 50%)

  Bangkok University poll: Thais happy with PM
  (BangkokPost.com) – Samak Sundaravej may be widely thought of being ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s lapdog, but Thailand’s new prime minister seems to have the majority of the public’s trust.
  A Bangkok University poll disclosed that 50 per cent of respondents are happy with the Samak administration while only 35 percent are dissatisfied. 15 percent of those questioned preferred not to comment.
  And only just days of being in office, marks out of ten are already being given out to cabinet ministers.
  Most people believe deputy prime minister and commerce minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan is a star performer so far, followed by industry minister Suwit Khunkitti and prime minister and defence minister Samak Sundaravej.
  The public has the least faith in interior minister Chalerm Yubamroong. He scored a lowly 4.7 out of 10.
  Maj Gen Sanan Kajornprasart did slightly better with 4.84 points while natural resources and environment minister Anongwan Thepsuthin got a respectable 4.9 points.
  BP (13 Feb. 08)

Leave a Comment