PROFILE
Scholar out of place in Thaksin's team
Borwornsak Uwanno, the outgoing Cabinet secretary-general, discusses his departure with Government House reporters.
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After spending more than three years in a job that required him to work closely with politicians, Borwornsak Uwanno has concluded that he is unsuited to the post of Cabinet secretary-general and has resigned.
He had played a significant role in the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Borwornsak, 51, left his job as secretary-general of King Prajadhipok's Institute, which he held from 1999 to 2003, after being persuaded to accept the Cabinet post by his relative, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. A drafter of the Constitution, he joined Wissanu, Pongthep Thepkanchana, and Bhokin Bhalakula as top legal experts in the Thaksin government. When he took the Cabinet post in April 2003, Borwornsak admitted that he was not suited to the job, but Wissanu offered him support and guidance. For three years, Borwornsak has had to adapt himself to work as a coordinator between politicians and bureaucrats, despite a very straightforward personality. He has a reputation for sticking to principles, being inflexible and extremely confident. Borwornsak's uneasiness with his job increased as the political situation turned murky and then reached a deadlock. A clear sign of his distress was a report several months ago that he had joined scores of ministry permanent secretaries who had gathered their signatures to push for Thaksin's resignation. Borwornsak squashed the rumour after reports of the move were leaked to Prommin Lertsuridej, Thaksin's trusted secretary-general. Political analysts believe the incident made Borwornsak realise he had to either be in the government's boat or jump ship. Being in the same boat with politicians meant he would lose his academic objectivity. He had been criticised for being an apologist for the government camp. He defended the government's controversial royal decree dissolving the House and the issuing of circulars related to the prime minister's leave. Some Thai Rak Thai members blame Borwornsak for issuing the circulars, now that they may become evidence incriminating Thaksin of wrongdoing as the issue has reached the courts. Many party members see Borwornsak's move as simply a jump from a sinking ship, but for Borwornsak the decision will take him back to familiar ground. He received a doctoral degree in public law from the Universite de Paris, France , in 1982 and was dean of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of law in 1995.
Piyanart Srivalo The Nation
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