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Published on February 26, 2008

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan appears to have become the latest victim, although some question whether it is also because he has been working too hard.

Mingkwan shocked an audience yesterday when he passed out while addressing a conference on government policy. He had excused himself before beginning, saying he had caught a cold and might not be able to finish his hour-long speech. Minutes later, he fainted and slumped over the podium, causing a commotion as doctors at the scene rushed to the stage.

He regained consciousness after 10 minutes and at repeated urging from those present, he went to the Police Hospital for a check-up.

Mingkwan is known as a person who takes his job seriously. Auto journalists still recall how when he worked for Toyota Motor, he never refused requests to accompany them for the sake of a story, no matter where or when.

He has also been praised for the success of MCOT's public listing during the Thaksin Shinawatra era. When the state enterprise's employees threatened to protest against its privatisation, Mingkwan smoothed things over.

When naming Mingkwan to his post, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej did not hold back on praise.

Coincidentally, all of this commotion took place at about the same time the 80th Academy Awards were being presented in Los Angeles, California, prompting malicious minds to speculate whether Mingkwan was really ill or simply an accomplished actor.

Mingkwan may not mind. His work performance so far has already won praise, and there will be more accolades if he succeeds in convincing manufacturers of essential goods to reduce their prices.

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation