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Published on February 8, 2008

 Many well-wishers lined up to congratulate him on his appointment. Chalerm is expected 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 a CEO-style governor as practised in the Thaksin Shinawatra government. His subordinates are expected to devote complete attention to their job and will not be allowed to see him at home in order to ask for favours, he said.

"I will immediately begin working without warming up to my job. I expect to last a full four-year term because I have been waiting for this job for more than 10 years," he said, adding that he promised to pay special attention to quelling the violence in the South.

Chalerm voiced determination to work in a straightforward manner, arguing that his reputation and those of his family members as bullies were a thing of the past.

Commenting on the designation of Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban as shadow interior minister, he said he welcomed the checks on his performance.

"Suthep and I are a good match," he said, adding he had no objection if the People's Alliance for Democracy were to revive its activities to monitor the government.

Top bureaucrats at the Interior Ministry ordered red roses to decorate the offices for  today's welcoming ceremony for the minister and his two deputies, Suphon Fongngam and Sithichai Kohsurat.

The Nation