Yingluck denies some Cabinet posts granted out of gratitude

She also dismissed claims that certain appointees were awarded portfolios out of gratitude. 

“Not at all. Very little, indeed. We considered the suitability and qualification of people who have joined the Cabinet,” she said. 

When asked if Natthawut was qualified to become deputy agriculture minister, Yingluck said he was well educated and knew about people’s problems, especially in relation to agriculture. 

She was speaking to reporters at Suvarnabhumi Airport before catching an early morning flight to the Philippines yesterday. She was in Manila on a one-day official visit. 

The prime minister added that she did not think any of the new Cabinet members would be “mismatched” to their new job. “Some ministers may not be familiar faces, but if you look at their credentials and qualifications, you will find that they match their job,” she explained.

As for economic expert Suchart Thadathamrongvej becoming education minister, Yingluck said it was not a “mismatch”. 

“Don’t think the Education Ministry is not related to the economy. It is about developing human resources,” she said, adding that Suchart had been a dean at Ramkhamhaeng University before and was, therefore, an educator.

The premier reiterated that the Cabinet shake-up was to “make things fall into place” and put suitable people in charge. “The country is in the mode of recovery and we need to revive our economy quickly [after the recent flood crisis],” she said.

Yingluck said she hoped the Cabinet members who were shown the door would not be upset, especially outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Kowit Wattana. “In fact, Kowit is very helpful and has done well by offering advice to the Cabinet. However, Cabinet posts are limited. I feel very sorry,” she said. 

The premier laughed when asked to confirm if the military was unhappy with ACM Sukampol Suwan-nathat being given the defence minister’s post.

“Are you going to question me about every position?” Yingluck asked, before adding that she did not believe Sukampol’s posting would create a conflict. “ACM Sukampol is a [retired] soldier, so he has good knowledge about military affairs. We do not appoint a civilian as defence minister.”

Sukampol, previously transport minister, was a classmate of ex-PM Thaksin at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. It is believed that the outgoing defence minister, General Yuthasak Sasiprapha was “too soft” with top brass over contentious issues, such as amending the Defence Ministry Administration Act and allowing politicians to have more of a say in the armed forces’ personnel transfers.

As for the new Prime Minister’s Office minister, Nalinee Thaveesin, who is reportedly blacklisted in the United States, Yingluck said under the Constitution, Nalinee was qualified for the post and that the new minister would explain the matter later. 

Yingluck also said that changing the finance minister should not have a negative impact on the economy. Kittirat na Ranong, deputy prime minister and commerce minister, would take over the finance minister’s post seamlessly because he was already overseeing the Finance Ministry and other economy-related ministries, she said.

Observers say that Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala had been removed from the finance minister’s post because he was against the government’s plan to make the central bank responsible for the country’s Bt1.14-trillion debt incurred during the 1997 financial crisis. 

Kittirat said yesterday that there would be no changes to the government’s economic policies once he assumes the Finance portfolio. “The Finance Ministry’s main duty is working with financial and capital markets. I will consult with state agencies that take care of policies in these two areas. I don’t think there will be any changes that might cause concern,” he said.

Kittirat also dismissed criticism that most of the new Cabinet members are close to Thaksin. “We are close to Yingluck, who has appointed us herself,” he said. 

Meanwhile, senior opposition figures said yesterday that the Cabinet reshuffle appeared as if it was meant to address the ruling party’s problems rather than that of the country and the people. 

Opposition leader Abhisit Vej-jajiva said the public wanted to see an improvement in the government’s performance rather than changes in the Cabinet line-up, adding that the cost of living was rising due to the government’s policy to float energy prices. 

Chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanavisit said it was clear the reshuffle was meant to reward certain figures in the ruling party. “It’s like playing musical chairs. Most Cabinet members who managed to retain their seats and the newcomers are all linked to the Shinawatra family,” he said.