Cabinet reshuffle puts a new face on govt image

The fifth Cabinet line-up of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being viewed as an attempt to revamp the fortunes of the Pheu Thai government, following a barrage of problems – including the rice-pledging crisis – that has seen the government’s popularity nose-dive in recent weeks.

With those ministers named in the reshuffle, which is expected to be announced soon, it is hoped a new Cabinet will emerge that is better equipped to salvage the current political impasse and deal more effectively with potential problems facing the coalition government.

The first course of action will be to remove those Cabinet members considered to have become a liability for the government. Among them will be Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom for his role in the rice-pledging debacle – although he is only a scapegoat. Sacrificing Boonsong is the best option to salvage the situation because Yingluck cannot be held directly responsible, and the government cannot allow a probe, which carries the risk of unearthing those behind Boonsong’s mistakes.

The rice-pledging debacle is believed to be the main reason for prompting Yingluck to reshuffle her Cabinet in advance of the planned reshuffle in August – when the government turns two years old.

It is also expected that Science Minister Worawat Auapinyakul will be removed because of image problems. He has reportedly interfered in budgeting for the National Science and Technology Development Agency, leading to protests by staff.

The new Cabinet will also boost the image of the government because most of the ministers will be new faces with clean reputations. They include Chaturon Chaisaeng, former acting leader of the Thai Rak Thai. He will become education minister, a position he used to hold.

Paveena Hongsakul, the "angel" of all children and women, will become the social development and human security minister.

However, extremist red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan will not receive any post. According to political analysts, former prime minister and de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, has decided to drop Jatuporn from the next cabinet because he wants to return home.

With Jatuporn gone, opposition against the government would subside significantly – although Thaksin will need to ensure that red-shirt support for the government remains strong. And yet, Jatuporn’s United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship is not the only red-shirt group. Thaksin has at his disposal the services of several other red-shirt groups, especially those in the northern and northeastern provinces. The former PM also maintains ties with the UDD by retaining Natthawut Saikua in the Cabinet.

The reshuffle will also strengthen Yingluck’s ties with the armed forces as she will continue to hold the position of defence minister – an indication that the government intends to use a "soft" approach with military leaders – thus boosting Thaksin’s chances of returning to Thailand. Yinkluck is the only person who can talk amicably with Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. She will replace ACM Sukampol Suwannathat and will be assisted by Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapha, who will become deputy defence minister.

In addition, several technocrats will be brought in to help the government handle political hurdles. For example, former attorney-general Chaikasem Nitisiri will become justice minister, while former permanent secretary for Commerce, Yanyong Puangrat, will be made deputy commerce minister, and Benja Louisecharoen, former Customs Department chief, will be elevated to deputy finance minister.

Still, the appointments could lead to criticism that the government has rewarded permanent officials who have sided with Thaksin.

Yanyong has fiercely defended the barrage of criticism from Democrats over the rising price of consumer goods and the rice-pledging scheme.

Benja, on the other hand, played a prominent role when Shin Corp shares were sold to the Singapore government’s investment arm, Temasek Holdings. She was the deputy director-general of the Revenue Department at that time and insisted that the Shinawatra family did not have to pay taxes on the share sale.

The reshuffle is also being done to reward those who have worked hard for Pheu Thai. For example, Pirapan Palusuk, a Yasothon MP who is a legal expert of the party, will become science minister.

Wichet Kasemthongsri, another close aide of Thaksin’s, who was only recently appointed chairman of PTT Plc’s board of directors, has now resigned so that he can take up his new Cabinet position as natural resources and environment minister.

The Pheu Thai will also have Snoh Thienthong’s son, Sorawong Thienthong, replace Snoh’s nephew, Thanis Thienthong, as the deputy industry minister.

Finally, Yingluck and Thaksin will not remove Chalerm Yoobamrung from the Cabinet, although he will be downgraded from his current post of deputy prime minister to become labour minister as he is still a useful political heavy-weight for the government.

It quickly becomes clear that the reshuffle has been undertaken to improve the fortunes of the government, but it remains to be seen whether it will have tangible benefits for the country in the long-term.