Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has initially won a political tug-of-war by making a cabinet reshuffle and filling vacant positions with people he mostly trusts, without breaking up the ruling Palang Pracharath Party -- yet.
Joining the cabinet are Predee Daochai who is named new finance minister, Supattanapong Punmeechaow, energy minister and deputy prime minister in the reshuffle. Mr Predee is former co-president of Kasikornbank and former chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association while the latter is a former director of PTT Global Chemical Plc.
Anucha Nakasai replaces Tewan Liptapanlop as the PM's Office Minister, while Narumon Pinyosinwat, government spokeswoman, is deputy labour minister. Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai gets another assignment as deputy prime minister.
The list which was announced in the Royal Gazette on Thursday is generally seen as "passable" under the circumstances. Before this, key PPRP figures under the Sam Mitr banner made it clear they wanted the energy portfolio for Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, and they wooed deputy prime minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, into becoming PPRP leader. Yet, the prime minister adamantly maintained he had full authority over the cabinet rejig. This is the second time Gen Prayut has barred Mr Suriya from the energy portfolio.
It was reported that Prime Minister Prayut has faith the new cabinet members will help him tackle the economic slump resulting from lockdown measures to curb Covid-19 infections that have thrown millions of people out of work after several thousand factories and workplaces closed down. At least his attempt to put the right man into the right job should secure investors' confidence, so they will come back and do business.
The prime minister expressed optimism that the country can make a quick economic turnaround given that it has performed well in controlling the virus. That ambition requires hard work and contributions from all concerned. It's really a tough task, and this is just the start.
The newcomers, particularly the energy minister, who is to oversee high-profile schemes and contracts worth billions of baht, must be careful and carry out their duties with integrity. They must make sure that they have no conflict of interest that may cause public dismay, and that will eventually boost the government's stability.
Equally, if not more, difficult for the administration is politics in general. Winning party politics is one thing, but handling national politics is another. And while having thwarted certain elements in the ruling party, the prime minister has to be ready for any attempts at revenge by the losing faction that could rock the government.
Yet, Gen Prayut seems to be well aware of the growing political challenges he is facing -- in and outside parliament -- such as the youth movement which has gained significant momentum over the past weeks.
This may explain why he decided to announce plans for constitutional amendments. In doing so, Gen Prayut abandoned his previous stance that the government had nothing to do with the process which, he said, was the duty of those in the legislative branch. The announcement appears to have significantly cooled down the political temperature.
Gen Prayut must take this matter seriously, and not just buy time as many fear. Indeed, he must push for charter changes and lay the foundation for a fair political playing field for all. This would be a healthy solution that could help avert yet another political crisis.