Shadow roles can serve useful purpose
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Good on Korn Chatikavanij to take the trouble to respond to Meechai Burapa's taunt at the Democrats over the weekend (Letters, September 11-13), although I wonder if they are both not taking themselves a little too seriously. Disrespectful but sharp, Meec
The shadow cabinet concept has a great deal to commend it, even if at times it seems to represent a parallel fantasy world. Things tend to unravel somewhat if a coalition has to be cobbled together, whether or not directly following elections, and positions found for assorted odd bods from different groupings. The Abhisit administration included ministers who had either switched from their shadow roles or came from outside. In certain spheres, such as foreign affairs and transport, this had a less than optimal effect on overall performance, to put it mildly.
It's probably just as well Meechai didn't grow up to be a cop. His promise to leave the Democrats alone came rather too easily.
Chris Jeffery
Bangkok
