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Published on February 7, 2008

She made a big impression with her concern for the environment.

When Poonpirom shops, she always asks retailers to skip the bags or at least use as few as possible. Food she buys from vendors goes straight into her cloth tote bag. When her kids first went to study in England, she bought them second-hand uniforms.

"It was 50 per cent cheaper," she reasoned.

Throughout the three-hour interview, the air-conditioner in the meeting room remained off. (Poonpirom, nicknamed "Madame Frugal", may not be pleased to know that incoming Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap will host 10 Chinese-dining tables at his residence to celebrate his appointment.)

Her nature fits very well with the culture at the Energy Ministry, so it's no surprise she reportedly asked for the ministerial post.

As shown on a television programme on Monday, ministry officials are accustomed to energy-saving measures. The air-conditioners are turned off at 11.30am, and officials remain in the office until noon before leaving for lunch. Then the air-conditioners start up again at 1pm.

Lights above each officer's desk have pull-strings so they can turn them off individually. Throughout the building, there are posters carrying messages that the ministry wants to convey to the public to raise awareness about saving energy.

Certainly, Poonpirom would be pleased with this environment. But it seems the office must go beyond that to please her completely.

It was reported that Poonpirom, who was sworn in to her new post yesterday, commissioned a decoration team for the Energy Ministry's main building where her office is located.

The team arrived to clean up the whole place. It also changed the lamps, although there is no report whether the light bulbs were also changed. But the wallpaper was replaced, while the meeting room was turned into an office for Poonpirom's advisory team. Meanwhile, spare space was turned into extra offices. The required space is huge, since the advisory team numbers more than 20.

Certainly, when Poonpirom steps into her office tomorrow as scheduled, she'll be pleased with the readiness of the new workplace.

Her office will be more comfortable with the new wallpaper and lamps.

She must plan to sit in the office for hours each day, enjoying the greenery of the Rong Muang premises on Rama I Road. And she will have much to discuss with her advisers, in offices where the air-conditioners may not be turned on.

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation