The cabinet of Thailand’s new coalition government has been formally endorsed. We can now start getting to know the personalities that have been entrusted with forging a post-Thaksin future.
By the looks of things, the commentariat will have much to work with…
…much has already been said about the new Prime Minister’s educational pedigree (Eton and PPE at St. John’s College, Oxford). New Mandala readers interested in the details of Abhisit’s Oxford output will find the general thrust of this thesis intriguing. Perhaps one of our readers enjoying the grey of Oxford at Christmas will be kind enough to pop down to Nuffield and have a gander.
The rest of the cabinet line-up is just as intriguing. Others have already commented on some of the more exciting choices. During the current “silly season” it is, surely, only a matter of time before somebody has a great deal of satirical fun with the new first XI.
I would be letting the team down if I didn’t mention that the new Finance Minister (another British public school/St. John’s boy), Korn Chatikavanij, has a nascent Wordpress blog. It would be very cool if he became a regular in the Thailand blog scene, no? Perhaps New Mandala readers who feel the urge could try and start up a conversation. He gives every impression that he will be open to some online banter.
Banter, of course, being a standard currency in the University town that he and his boss know so well.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Constant Petit // Dec 22, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I am not sure that Abhisit’s conduct represents the best of Eton and Oxford. Time and again he failed to offer good wishes to his political opponents, and his ability to control his self-aggrandizement leaves something to be desired. With Eton and Oxford having failed to instil in him a sense of human decency, he should study and practice the teachings of the Buddha to turn himself into a productive politician. My every good wish to this young man with a great potential. I hope he doesn’t live up to his name, which means “special privilege”.
2 Colum Graham // Dec 22, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Wit and Abhisit.
I wonder how the UK’s foreign policy will alter towards Thailand when fellow old scholar David Cameron takes the reins. I imagine that Britain will posture itself directly behind Thailand’s efforts to be more stable economically. The question is whether Abhisit and Korn will ask for it, or whether they will just chance upon FDI (Foreign Direct Insertion) like meeting an established gentleman on a cozy misty morning stroll along a college lane..
Undoubtedly, what is good for Abhisit Vejjajiva is good for Thailand…
Having said that, I congratulate him on landing Thailand’s most prized valet parking job. At least he doesn’t seem like he will leave his half smoked cigarette’s mashed into the seat covers, but you can never be sure. Especially with Mrs Pornthiwa’s history in massage institutions. Not only will we be calling for the Royal stance to be revealed towards democracy, but Coyote dancing too!
3 Thorn // Dec 25, 2008 at 2:23 am
Thanks for the information. However, Nuffield library is closed until the 5th of January. I’ll try to have a look at Abhisit’s thesis afterward.
4 Joy // Dec 26, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I’m also curious abt Aphisit’s thesis. Keep us posted after you have a quick scan of it please!! Perhaps I should also check out Taksin’s dissertation??
5 Land of Snarls. // Dec 28, 2008 at 7:07 pm
So, now it’s official: ‘Thai Commerce” is a euphemism for prostitution. This Month’s PM must have been really scraping the bottom of the barrel in his deals to get a coalition together.
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