It was a strange twist by Surayud and came as a complete U-turn for Somkid, who was once dubbed a protégé and potential successor to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Somkid was a practitioner of Thaksinomics, now blamed for much of the ills plaguing the rural and urban sectors.

Surayud has not spelled out how he suddenly found virtue in Somkid and how he conveniently ignored the fact that the younger man was among those being investigated for wrongdoings during the Thaksin government's term in power.

Somkid has also not explained how he was drawn to the sufficiency economy model despite his lifelong belief in free-market economy, consumption and debt-driven growth, as well as the privatisation of state enterprises and bubbling stock prices.

People still remember Somkid preaching with gusto about all the goodies in his former party's populist programmes during his political marketing campaigns, which encouraged voters to cast ballots for the Thai Rak Thai Party in exchange for debt suspension, the village fund, the Bt30-healthcare scheme and other alluring offers.

Somkid actually stuck to those populist policies and Thaksinomics and remained loyal to Thaksin until the coup on September 19 last year. His apparent attempt to distance himself from Thaksin in the months before the regime change did not materialise. Nobody asks why, because Thaksin was all too powerful.

Surayud's decision, which also surprised Cabinet members and caused Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula considerable dismay, was only known to a few, including General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who gave him support, citing reconciliation for a more important purpose.

Still, the motive raised questions as to whether the Council for National Security and the government have glossed over the real purpose in toppling the Thaksin administration and righting all the wrongs resulting from Thaksinomics and massive corruption.

Does this mean that Somkid will be given some sort of special treatment in his campaigns abroad for the sufficiency economy model? What about his credibility when foreigners question his about-turn and his beliefs in economic theories?

Somkid might not find it necessary to explain all of these things, if he does not have principles and integrity as key qualities in his character. At the same time, Surayud will also be judged by the new company he keeps.

The people of the country deserve more of an explanation about the decisions of Surayud and Somkid, simply because they are dealing principally with the nation's credibility. It might have been okay if Surayud had chosen to name Somkid as his family adviser, handling family investment and what not.

This is not about forgiving and forgetting, because Somkid's role in Thaksinomics, was among the excuses for the coup, which suspended democratic development.

We don't even know whether Somkid truly believes in the sufficiency economy model, or whether it was just a temporary change of mind through a plea-bargain arrangement for him to save himself from the ongoing investigations into wrongdoing.

Why is it necessary for the government to care so much whether foreign countries see the virtues of the sufficiency economy model? Would it not be better for Surayud and his team to focus on a result-oriented performance, with the outcome then serving as clear proof of the model's success or failure?

It may take some time or until the next election before we know the real motives and intent behind Surayud's decision. A wild guess now is that Somkid was perceived as a better choice than the old faces in politics and ex-premiers who still refuse to fade away.

Reinstating Somkid sends a strong signal to those breaking away from the Thai Rak Thai Party that they can pin their hopes and future on this man who abandoned his economic beliefs and the boss he once served with all of his heart and devotion.

Sopon Ongkara