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Published on February 2, 2008

Samak said coalition demands and strict rules on ministerial credentials had limited his options.

"I don't know what to do with the government's image - it is unavoidable that it's a little ugly, because only the daredevils are willing to join the Cabinet," he said.

He had tried but failed to recruit competent outsiders to fill about 10 to 20 per cent of ministerial portfolios; restrictions designed to keep former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra out of power had impacted on capable individuals.

"The rules are too strict and have scared many individuals out of the public service," he said, pointing to conflict of interest provisions which apply to office holders as well as their relatives.

The new PM insisted that he has "full power as the party leader" in preparing his party's Cabinet line-up although he admitted to have talked to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on the phone "four or five times" since the December election.

Samak, giving an interview to a Japanese news agency, said he had made changes to the original Cabinet list.

He said that the final Cabinet list would be submitted for Royal endorsement in a few days and he expected the Cabinet to have its first meeting next Tuesday.

The veteran politician confirmed that he would double as the defence minister, adding that it was unnecessary for defence minister to be a military man as the knowledge about managing military affairs should be sufficient for the job.

He said that past defence ministers from the armed forces often were at odds with the generals in power who graduated from different classes.

Samak also confirmed that Surapong Suebwonglee would become chief of his government's economic team, Noppadon Pattama would be foreign minister, and Chakrapob Penkair a PM's Office minister.

He suggested that his government would attempt to amend the Constitution, on provisions involving multiple-MP constituencies and ones that allow MPs to vote independently on certain matters.

Samak admitted he was obliged to allocate seats in accordance with lists of candidates submitted by six coalition parties, although he personally wanted to change some names for the sake of the government's reputation.

"To maintain friendly ties and coalition protocols, I have to comply with requests from my coalition partners."

In spite of some shortcomings, the Cabinet is ready to work and be scrutinised by the opposition, he said.

He shrugged off the Democrats' plan to form a shadow cabinet, saying he saw the move as an attempt to grab publicity.

Piyanart Srivalo, Samatcha Hunsara

The Nation