More than 30 members of the People’s Media Network of the North yesterday went to Chiang Mai city hall to submit an open letter to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont demanding freedom for the media and for people’s representatives to join the drafting of th

The newly appointed Cabinet was generally welcomed yesterday despite remarks that most of its members were elderly and that some of them were connected to figures in the ousted government.

Former colleagues of certain Cabinet appointees attested their efficiency and integrity while critics expressed disappointment at some appointments.

However, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said that due to the limited time for his government, he opted for seasoned and experienced bureaucrats and technocrats so they could start doing their job immediately, according to PM's Office Minister Thirapat Derirangsan, who at 51, is the youngest Cabinet member.

Former senator Wallop Tangkananurak said although certain members had tainted images, the Cabinet was acceptable to him. He said he was satisfied with the appointees in charge of social issues, such as education, culture, social development and human security, and information and communication technology.

Navy commander-in-chief Admiral Satirapan Keyanon yesterday congratulated Admiral Theera Haocharoen, the newly appointed transport minister. "He's capable, honest and hard-working. I think he's suitable for the job," Satirapan said.

The permanent secretary for the Health Ministry, Praj Boonyawongwirojana, said newly appointed Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla was decisive and had a strong background in this field.

Sakarin Phumirat, director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency, welcomed the appointment of scientist Yongyuth Yuthavong as the science and technology minister.

"We haven't had a scientist to serve as the science minister for years," he said.

General Boonsrang Niempradit, the armed forces supreme commander, said he trusted the new Cabinet and did not think its members were too old. "As a citizen, I believe this Cabinet can be relied on," he said.

However, labour rights activist Vilaiwan Saetia yesterday expressed disappointment at the appointment of Apai Chandanachulaka as the labour minister. She said the labour groups had proposed four candidates qualified for the job but that all of them had been ignored.

"Now that Apai has become the labour minister, we'll give him time to prove himself," she said, adding that an urgent problem to be addressed was ensuring fair wages to workers of all regions.

Somsak Kosaisuk, of the State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation, said that Apai was a suitable choice as he was formerly permanent secretary for labour, although his performance was not outstanding.

Local bureaucrats, religious leaders and the Muslim community in the deep South yesterday hailed the appointment of Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya and his deputy, Banyat Jansena.

"Both Aree and Banyat are familiar faces in the region and they can improve the situation," said Yala's Islamic Committee chairman Abdulramae Chesae.

He said that Aree, who has held the posts of deputy minister for Education and secretary-general of the Interior Ministry, is a Muslim and knows what needs to be done to restore peace. Banyat, he added, is also knowledgeable about the problems in the South since he was formerly director of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), a civilian-led body that was dissolved soon after Thaksin came into power in 2001.