PM unveils new line-up in cabinet

The government yesterday unveiled its new cabinet line-up, but critics say they doubt it will be able to tackle problems facing the country.

The reshuffle, endorsed by His Majesty the King yesterday, marks the return of Chaiya Sasomsab to the cabinet. Four current ministers changed posts and six new ministers were brought in by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

Mr Samak still retains his double duty as premier and defence minister, while he added the position of deputy prime minister to the portfolio of Mun Patanotai, who is the information and communication technology minister.

A source said the additional responsibility for Mr Mun was a reward for keeping the Puea Pandin party in the coalition government led by the People Power party (PPP).

Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti was among five cabinet ministers who were not in the new line-up after announcing his resignation as industry minister last week.

Also gone were Chalerm Yubamrung as interior minister, Lt Ranongrak Suwanchawee as deputy finance minister, Viroon Tejapaibul as deputy commerce minister and Sithichai Kohsurat as deputy interior minister.

The new cabinet ministers will attend an oath-swearing ceremony in front of His Majesty at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin on Tuesday.

After the King's endorsement, government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said he was confident the new-look cabinet would be able to tackle any problems. ''The new cabinet ministers should satisfy the public because of their qualifications,'' he said.

Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote defended Mr Chaiya, saying he had no corruption problems when he quit the top job at the Public Health Ministry.

Mr Chaiya resigned on July 9 after the Constitution Court ruled that he could not be a cabinet member after failing to declare all assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Mr Chaiya said he had the right to return to the cabinet because he was not banned from politics and his comeback was not against the constitution.

But critics were not convinced after seeing the list of the new cabinet team.

Prapas Pintobtang, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University, called the new cabinet a reflection of the interests of various factions in the PPP, which pose the question whether they will be able to work together as a unit.

The government might not last long, even with the new faces, due to problems it was facing, especially with its bid to amend the constitution, the analyst said. Mr Samak could eventually be forced to dissolve parliament and let voters decide the future of the charter, he added.

''Society should closely watch the projects that will be urgently approved by the government,'' he said.

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Pibhop Dhongchai called the new line-up a reward for people working for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He questioned the ability of some ministers such as Mingkwan Sangsuwan to run the Industry Ministry, Kowit Wattana and Mr Chaiya.

Pol Gen Kowit could have problems with his qualifications and Mr Chaiya was criticised as public health minister when he tried to end the compulsory licensing policy.

Chief whip of the Democrat party Sathit Wongnongtoey said he was also worried about the new line-up.

The cabinet reshuffle by Mr Samak was not aimed at boosting government efficiency by finding the right man for the right job, he said. The reshuffle was to please PPP factions, he said.

The change was to prolong Mr Samak's time as government leader, he said.

Potential problems were conflicts between the Industry Ministry under the new minister and the Finance Ministry because Mr Mingkwan no longer was in charge of economic policy, the Democrat MP said.

He also suspected the ability of Mr Chaiya to tackle problems affecting consumers because of his lack of expertise.

Public confidence in the government will erode if the new line-up fails to tackle economic problems, he warned.

But Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries was optimistic about Mr Mingkwan's ability to lead the Industry Ministry because he had vision and experience working with private firms before entering politics.