It is clear why this is so.

The Cabinet expansion happens at a time when the economy is sinking fast. However, though Thailand is in dire need of change to boost investment and spending, Surayud said none of the current ministers would be replaced and the newcomers would serve as deputies.

Looked at from whatever angle, Thaksin's news is far more interesting.

Breathlessly reported in newspapers is his attempt to buy Manchester City, an English football club.

Though the deal may flop like his former Liverpool plans, it has added colour to the darkness the Kingdom is experiencing.

A more interesting report was the ex-PM's appointment as chairman of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand.

A source from the association said Thaksin had unexpectedly won an overwhelming vote to replace Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, whose term ended yesterday.

The source also quoted Pongsak as saying that on Saturday he had talked on the phone with Thaksin, who was in China. Thaksin told Pongsak that he wanted to play a role in the football and golf arenas, and when Pongsak asked if he was interested in becoming the golf association's chairman, he said yes.

Although we all know that Thaksin is still being kept out of the country, the association's members still voted for him. That showed their confidence that Thaksin, who founded the telecommunications empire of Shin Corp, knows well how to use IT systems to accomplish his work.

Moreover, they may want Thaksin - a keen golfer himself - to suggest where they might play overseas.

Unemployed, Thaksin is in the best position to carry out such a course survey. And it's an

open secret that he loves travelling.

Achara_d@nationgroup.com