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Published on February 8, 2008

Ministers of the Samak Cabinet began their first day in office yesterday by announcing a mixed bag of policies that largely reflect the economic populism of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.

The populist policies range from debt suspension for farmers, village funds and other financial hand-outs, tax breaks for low-income earners, to investing in nine routes of the mass transit projects in Bangkok.

Other quick-fix programmes include low-cost computers, student loans and scholarships for poor students upcountry.

Surapong Suebwonglee, the new finance minister, vowed to revive most of the populist policies of Thai Rak Thai by promoting grass-roots consumption and announcing mega-project investments.

He not only aimed to restore foreign investors' confidence to Thailand but will also try to boost high economic growth and consumption.

Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan promised to revise the price adjustment system of goods. He would like to tackle the rising cost of living faced by grass-roots people caused by growing costs of production.

He also aimed to promote agricultural goods, expand new export markets for Thailand and work on trade negotiations.

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama focused on returning the diplomatic passport to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I don't have a policy to return the diplomatic passport (to Thaksin), but as long as the laws and regulations say all former prime ministers have the right to hold such a passport, I think all should get equal treatment before the law," Noppadon told a press conference.

The Surayud government terminated Thaksin's diplomatic passport as the former prime minister allegedly sought to travel around the world and discredit the junta.

"Since the court has not yet ruled on Thaksin's charges, we deem him innocent and even the junta-sponsored 2007 Constitution guarantees that right," the minister said.

Noppadon, who said he has already resigned as legal adviser to the Shinawatra family, would allow foreign ministry officials a freehand to consider whether Thaksin should get his diplomatic passport back in accordance with laws and regulations.

"We will restore the image of the Kingdom in the international community to build international confidence, notably among foreign investors, in political and economic stability," he said.

During his first day in office Noppadon received briefings from senior officials at the ministry and met ambassadors from Asean countries in the evening. The new minister will make his first foreign visit to Laos next week.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair said he would tighten regulations on state media, making sure they present balanced reports. He said his direction would be made clear one month after he gets control of state media bodies, which include the Public Relations Department, MCOT Plc, Thai PBS, satellite broadcasting and community radio stations.

"I will issue policies that evaluate and regulate the media. It's fine if the state media supports or opposes the government. Just oo long as they give balanced information.

"Moreover, since I have stopped producing TV and radio content, I will only appear in the media when I am invited. I don't want any criticism if I appear in the media in a certain manner, and then try to control the broadcast the next day. I will have to behave suitably," he said.

Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab said he would revise the enforcement of compulsory licensing for cancer drugs, an issue that has pitted Thailand against the international pharmaceutical industry and upset US drug firms and caused friction with trading partners.

Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat would implement the "one million computer" project, the Income Contingent Loan (ICL) and scholarships.

Somchai said the main policy he would push was using technology to develop teaching and learning, especially the procurement of one million computers for students.

Other old projects of the defunct Thai Rak Thai would be revived, including the "one tambon, one doctor and two nurses" project - and the student loan programme.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung pledged to do his job with accountability and transparency. Many well-wishers lined up to congratulate him on his appointment. Chalerm is due to start his first day in office today.

"I will concentrate on my three missions - intensifying drug suppression, particularly in border areas, in order to yield results within 90 days, strict law enforcement to bring down the crime rate, and promoting the royal theory of sufficiency economy," he said.

Chalerm said he would reintroduce the concept of CEO-style governors as practised in the Thaksin Shinawatra government, and pay special attention to quelling violence in the South.

Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong said her immediate plan was to have officials from the Department of Skill Development report to provincial governors, which she said would be more beneficial.

She also plans to issue a Department of Employment regulation that will allow labourers heading for work overseas pay for their flights later. She has told the Social Security Office to find a way to take care of workers not registered with the office, such as taxi drivers.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat pledged to proceed with the nine mass transit projects, while freezing public transport fares indefinitely.

Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti aimed to bring back foreign investors to Thailand to help promote private investment.

"The biggest problem today is that investors lack confidence, because the industrial sector is the key to driving growth in the country's gross domestic product," Suwit said.

He is confident the campaign will stimulate investment and total net applications submitted to the Board of Investment (BoI) will be higher than last year's Bt655.8 billion.

New Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister Man Pattano-thai said the ministry would make low-cost computers available to the Thai public.

The Nation