Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, has finished his primary task of assembling a cabinet, which was given royal approval on Saturday. However, it is still unclear whether he is placing the right people in the proper positions.
The public anticipates that the government will be made up of seasoned ministers and subject matter experts given the magnitude of the challenges that lie ahead. However, with 11 political parties in the union, it can be challenging to assemble a group that lives up to expectations.
The mercilessly endorsed record is nearly identical to the media’s initial list, with the exception of one highly contentious number. Also, the fact that the ruling group does not have total control over financial affairs suggests the Pheu Thai Party did not actually choose the cabinet’s makeup.
The Bangkok Post urged scientists, opposition-party politicians, and polite world leaders to comment on the new government and offer their opinions on whether it represents the people’s will and is a good sign for the government in its efforts to address the issues facing the country. Additionally, they were asked to forecast how much the 314 House votes would remain in power.
” Lack of knowledge.”
The government picks, according to Wanwichit Boonprong, a social science teacher at Rangsit University, reflect the fact that the Pheu Thai Party does not have much negotiating power and is unconcerned with condemnation that it is not in the driver’s seat.
Although the Srettha case as a whole is not particularly unpleasant, he claimed that some political parties are still acting in their own best interests.
He also questioned some ministers’ ability to influence plans because they lack the necessary training, practice, and work history.
Among them are Pheu Thai’s Prasert Chantararuangthong, who is the minister of digital economy and society, Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob of the Bhumjaithai Party, and the business secretary.
It’s not placing the right person in the proper position. It has to do with coalition formation, and it’s very likely that the alliance partners will fight in the future. It’s never a long-term results approach, according to Mr. Wanwichit.
Although Mr. Srettha may serve as finance minister and the Pheu Thai Party will assume leadership of the finance ministry, he claimed that a number of important financial ministries have evaded its grasp.
Pheu Thai is not fully in charge of ministries managing economic affairs because the United Thai Nation Party ( UTN) and the Palang Pracharath Partie( PPRP ) each have a top-tier economic portfolio as well as the agriculture and cooperatives ministry, which deals with the rural economy.
Additionally, Mr. Srettha’s delegates, particularly Krisada Chinavicharana, the former finance permanent secretary who left the public sector to take the position, did do a large portion of the work.
He stated that Pol Gen Permpoon and PPRP secretary-general Capt Thamanat Prompow, who will take over as crops and cooperative minister, are considered to be poor cabinet members and will be carefully watched.
While Pol Gen Permpoon, the nephew of Bhumjaithai bodybuilder Newin Chidchob, is viewed as lacking the qualifications to oversee the education ministry, Capt. Thamanat is commonly regarded as an important figure.
According to social science lecturer Olarn Thinbangtieo of Burapha University, the cabinet was created solely for political purposes rather than for the benefit of the populace because a number of ministers lack the necessary skills.
He questioned the selection criteria, pointing out that Anutin Charnvirakul is appointed interior minister rather than keeping his previous position as public health secretary despite Thailand receiving international recognition for its response to the Covid-19 epidemic.
The fresh hospitality and sports minister has no prior work experience in the industry, despite the fact that commerce is a major economic vehicle, according to Mr. Olarn.
Although the interior ministry is well-liked, Pheu Thai grants it to the Bhumjaithai Party, which lacks a platform for local governance coverage. Pheu Thai, in my opinion, wants to prevent the decentralization of power by electing provincial administrators directly.
Mr. Srettha, in contrast to former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, doesn’t seem to have had any influence over the government takes, and it’s unlikely that he will.
According to Mr. Olarn, Pheu Thai must render concessions in order to form the government without the backing of the pro-military events. A government change, though, can be anticipated sooner rather than later.
The method of Pheu Thai is almost complete. It has reintroduced Thaksin Shinawatra. An pardon has now been granted. There will probably be a case shake-up.
And if Thaksin is freed from prison, he can influence monetary policy and hand the reins of power to the excellent minister for a change, the official said.
Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political science professor at Sukhothail Thammathirat Open University, said he has low expectations for the new administration because the cupboard was selected to propitiate coalition partners.
No wedding period
If the Pheu Thai Party is to keep its promise to address socioeconomic issues and hasten economic recovery, Democratic heavyweight Sathit Wongnongtoey is concerned that the appointments do not appear appealing.
Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who was predicted to lead the economic team, will take over as foreign minister despite the fact that not all of the group’s financial portfolios are in his possession, he said.
Mr. Srettha will have to put a lot of effort into combining various plan platforms under coalition partners and bringing them together to form integrated government policies.
He claimed that the coalition’s expelled Move Forward Party ( MFP), which will monitor the government, will prevent the ruling party and its allies from taking a honeymoon.
According to Mr. Sathit, the Pheu Thai-led state is a tumultuous partnership with strong negotiating clout among its allies.
It is difficult to rely on the House’s alliance partners’ support. According to him, some agreements might fall short and change how the House votes.
The Bhumjaithai Party has essentially no education plan, and it is unclear whether the minister did be embraced, according to Mr. Sathit, who predicted that the education ministry would come under close scrutiny.
Although some ministries have dubious backgrounds or picture issues, according to MP Natthawut Buaprathum, the MFP is anticipating the government’s plan declaration, which includes its military reforms, after Pheu Thai senior Sutin Klungsang was appointed defense minister.
He claimed that Mr. Srettha’s appointment as finance minister reflects the fact that Pheu Thai places a high priority on the recovery of the economy, but he urged the prime minister to seek input from the” smaller people” as well, especially in light of his countenance of meeting with business executives.
” I believe the government is politically stable, but the effectiveness of the procedures is still up in the air. Rather than functions or specific officials, I concentrate more on federal legislation.
It is robust given the number of votes it has, but how much it will last will depend on its ability to deliver, he said.
shake-up of the government
A member of the families of Black May victims, Adul Keowboriboon, compared the new case to a damaged send undergoing repairs for short-term use and asserted that many appointments are nothing more than rewards to those who are devoted to the side’s” owner.”
In three to four months, he anticipated a overhaul. Veterans may take the place of unqualified individuals to assist the government in getting ready for the upcoming elections, he declared.
But, Mr. Adul emphasized that the people will keep a close eye on the cabinet’s performance as he urged Ms. Srettha to recognize the strength of the populace.
Given that one-third of the government officials have served in the Prayut state and that it is more like a movement of jobs, Nimitr Tian-udom, representative of Welfare Watch Network, said he does not anticipate significant changes.
The legal sector and open independent agencies must monitor government policies and how they are implemented now that the cabinet seats have been assigned, he said.
It is a partnership state whose partners have similar policies with various specifics, even though the seat planning has been completed. Therefore, we may wait and see if these measures are actually in the best interests of the general public.