Uproar as Narong's name linked to Public Health ministership

As Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha considers names for his Cabinet, many doctors are voicing discontent over reports that Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahametapat might be made the minister. 

However, the name of Dr Rajata Rajatanavin, rector of Mahidol University, has also come up for this post. 

Dr Kriangsak Watcharanukulkiat, president of the Rural Doctors’ Society, said Narong was not suitable for the job and could be expected to mismanage the budgets for wages and allowances for temporary and permanent officials of the ministry, which would give rise to conflicts and chaos. He also said Narong might create more problems at the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation. 

As for Rajata, Kriangsak said he did not know what he would be like as a minister since he is mostly an outsider. 

Prachumporn Buracharoen, who chairs the Thai Federation of General and Central Hospital Doctors, said that if Rajata were given the Public Health Ministry portfolio, existing officials would have to adjust to his management style. On the other hand, they would not need to make any changes if Narong took over as they were accustomed to his style. 

Also, she pointed out that Rajata had only been in the area of educating medical students and had little management experience. “He is competent but may find his hands full with problems that have accumulated at the ministry,” she said. 

Meanwhile, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, an adviser to the military’s ruling National Council for Peace and Order, acknowledged that he was being wooed to join the Prayuth Cabinet. Sources say Pridiyathorn is being considered for the job of deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs.

Separately, Dr Narongchai Akrasanee has resigned from the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), and reports say that he is being considered for the Energy portfolio. 

Other than Narongchai, seven other members of the unelected assembly have also tendered their resignations, acting NLA secretary-general Norarat Pimsen said. They are Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Dr Rajata, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Maj-General Intarat Yodbangtoey, Aziz Phitakkumpon, General Thawatchai Samutsakorn and Lt-General Surachet Chaiyawong.

Intarat said he had quit the NLA as he did not meet the required qualifications. A former deputy leader of the defunct Matchima Thippathai Party, Intarat was banned from politics for five years after his party was dissolved on December 2, 2008.

Chularatchamontri Aziz said he stepped down because his role as spiritual leader of the country’s Islamic community might be in conflict with his role at the NLA. He had also said earlier that it was against Islam to join a political organisation. 

General Thawatchai, meanwhile, said he quit the NLA because he felt he was not qualified. He was previously a member of the Chart Pattana Party, and according to NLA regulations, members cannot have been involved with a political party over the past three years.

The NLA now has 192 members after eight of them tendered their resignations. 

The latest person to resign yesterday was Surachet, deputy Army chief of staff, but he was not available for comment.