The former chief of MCOT knows how to keep a low profile on sensitive issues and grab attention when there's positive news from the ministry.

Throughout roughly eight months in office, Krirk-krai has amazingly avoided the controversy surrounding the amendment of the Foreign Business Act while former deputy prime minister and finance minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula took all the flak.

Krirk-krai has never been seen as media-friendly. He is straightforward and does not hesitate to criticise reporters for irrelevant questions. His quick temper was highlighted in an article last week in Post Today that suggested he try some confectionery with the quality to cool things down.

Yesterday, however, Krirk-krai met the press in an upbeat mood, despite his busy schedule. He came to Government House early in the morning to meet with other Cabinet members. Then he had to go back to the Commerce Ministry's office in a different part of Bangkok to discuss export figures.

Reporters were waiting for him at the ministry's office for the press conference normally held after the release of the figures.

But beat reporters were surprised when ministry officials told them there would be an abrupt change of plan as Krirk-krai would hold the press conference at Government House instead.

On the way to Government House, reporters were discussing why Krirk-krai had to travel back and forth just to hold a routine press conference. Then one suggested a convincing reason - perhaps the minister had good news to announce and wanted to make it at Government House, the political centre where more reporters are stationed.

Krirk-krai announced at the press conference that Thailand's exports last month continued to rise despite the strength of the baht, soaring 18.5 per cent year on year to US$10.8 billion (Bt376 billion).

This satisfactory figure would make the reporter's assumption more likely.

During a question-and-answer session, a reporter from Thai Rath could not let her suspicions go away. So she stood up and asked the minister: "Why do you have to hold a press conference here? Was it simply because you had good export figures to announce?"

Krirk-krai was cool and composed and replied nicely to the reporter: "No, I have something to do here."

Busdsk@nationgroup.com