Mixed opinions about reshuffle from business

“I do not put my hope on individuals but rather on government policies. All ministers anyway have to achieve government policies. I am only worried that the government does not have five or 10-year economic policies even though it knows it can serve the country for many years. I would like to see long-term policies on renewable energy, agricultural produce – such as how to increase productivity, instead of only focusing on price,’’ he said.

Pornsilp said the government should map out a clear action plan for every ministry such as the Commerce Ministry should have well-thought-out plans to promote export and effective price control so that the price of goods was suitably marked according to costs. The government should also focus on how to strengthen Thai businesses in light of integration of the Asean Economic Community.

Meanwhile, Dr Bun Wanasin, chairman of Thonburi Hospital Group, said he believed the government wanted to bring in people with experience to manage and push for completion of several projects. He said many ministers did not perform to expectations and could not get work done. The government approved Bt100 billion in spending, but only Bt10 billion had been spent. As a result the government had no achievement after one year in office.

“This reflects ministers’ lack of understanding of the bureaucratic system and inexperience in management,’’ he said.

“People are more interested in government achievements and the country’s economic growth than corruption. The government has not accepted this reality. If the economic growth hovers at 5-6 per cent next year we are in for more mess,’’ he said.

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc deputy chairman Wichai Thongtaeng said he was satisfied with the likely new line-up. The government did not make any change with its economic team because it believed it performs well and opinion polls also show results in their favour.  The main reason for the reshuffle was the Interior Ministry, he said.

Sithiporn Suwannasut, head of the Thai Home Constructions Association, said he believed incoming ministers weren’t suited to their posts because they did not have the experience needed. The government must therefore work as a team to drive its policies.

Wanni Rattanapol, president of Media Agency and Thailand’s Media Business, said the reshuffle would not affect the advertising industry if it did not change its macro-economic policies. She said since there had not been a major change to its economic ministers, the government was expected to continue economic policies as had been announced, so the private sector could maintain their business plans.

She said the private sector hoped to see improvement not only in economic policies but also political stability, which has a psychological effect on purchasing power and spending.