Thumbs up for cabinet shake-up

Thumbs up for cabinet shake-up

New team to drive economy

Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the former Commerce Ministry permanent secretary, is one of five new faces in the cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. She was named deputy agriculture minister. (File photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the former Commerce Ministry permanent secretary, is one of five new faces in the cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. She was named deputy agriculture minister. (File photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

The business community has welcomed Friday's cabinet reshuffle but does not expect any substantial changes in the economic outlook, saying the shake-up is more about accommodating policy implementation.

The reshuffle, which has taken immediate effect, involves mostly economic ministers and sees several rotations including former science and technology minister Pichet Durongkaveroj being named the digital economy minister.

Of five newcomers, four are in charge of economic affairs: Chutima Bunyapraphasra as deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister; Pichit Akrathit as deputy transport minister; Sonthirat Sonthijirawong as deputy commerce minister; and Uttama Savanayana as industry minister.

Another newcomer is Virasakdi Futrakul as deputy foreign minister.

Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the reshuffle would accommodate more work in the wake of the Thailand 4.0 policy. He said the newcomers are unlikely to lead to any significant changes in the economic outlook because the policy has been set.

Isara Wongkusolkij, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the reshuffle, saying the new cabinet comprises veterans and old-timers who can get to work immediately.

He also said the fact that no military top brass had been brought in to the cabinet was likely to give the Prayut administration a big image boost.

Surapong Paisitpatanapong, the FTI's automotive industry club spokesman, expressed satisfaction over the new line-up. He said the ministers have vast experience and will be instrumental in helping the government push economic policy and drive growth.

Thanawat Polwichai, director of the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, agreed that the shake-up is about job rotation to improve implementation of policy.

"Whether or not they can build or win public confidence depends on how well they perform. The public has expectations, especially on the economy. The government has to proceed with its infrastructure investment plans and injection of funds to 18 groups of provinces to drive the local economy," he said.

Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn yesterday welcomed new deputy minister Mr Sonthirat, saying his experience as adviser to the industry minister and in SMEs will be an asset to the ministry.

"He has calibre as well as experience in the industry field. I believe he will make a great contribution," she said.

She said she will hold talks with Mr Sonthirat to discuss jobs and responsibilities as soon as possible. The ministry's work is diverse and includes the cost of living, produce prices, the community-based economy and protection of intellectual property, she added.

The Democrat Party, meanwhile, has voiced concerns about the government's anti-corruption drive following the appointment of Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana as the new justice minister.

Pramaul Empia, a deputy spokesman, said Mr Suwaphan, a former PM's Office minister, has big shoes to fill.

"I'm concerned when I see who is taking charge at the Justice Ministry, which oversees anti-corruption work. His predecessor is known to be good at it, but graft and irregularities won't go away," he said.

"Mr Suwaphan is known to prefer a compromising approach and is indecisive, so he is a cause for concern when it comes to the government's policy to combat corruption."

Gen Paiboon Koomchaya resigned as justice minister after being appointed as a member of the Privy Council.

Mr Pramaul said some new ministers are promising and urged the government to speed up its work, especially in solving economic problems such as falling crop prices and low rural purchasing power.

He said the government should also follow up on how funds are spent after disbursement to ensure efficiency.

Veteran Pheu Thai politician Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan said she gave moral support to the new ministerial team as the economy is the main problem now.

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