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Newbie ministers always come with surprises. I guess it's because they're first-timers and need to assure the public that they're capable of handling the important job.

I remember Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat's interview in Suvarnabhumi magazine. He said he may not represent the tourism and sport sectors, but he knew how to work, because he craved travelling, and when he was a kid, he was also into sports. Yeah, he qualified himself for the job with that track record.

Most also still remember the first day when Deputy Finance Minister Suchat Tadatamrongvej came to work on August 6. He rode the free No 67 bus to the Finance Ministry, probably to show support for the government's six measures to cut the cost of living.

It was stunning, and his photo appeared in nearly all the newspapers.

What did the other deputy finance minister do on his inaugural day?

Pichai Naripthaphan showed up at the office in a chauffeured car like the other big shots do. He did nothing remarkable even weeks later when he joined the Excise Department's ceremony to destroy smuggled items. But suddenly he gained public attention when he floated the idea of mobilising funds to buy assets from defunct Lehman Brothers (Thailand).

Pichai did not hide what had inspired him to make the announcement. After the financial crisis, Thailand put a large block of assets from failed finance companies under the hammer, and Lehman was a major buyer. And here comes the reversal.

We should see more surprises as the new government is being formed. It would be nice if many new faces emerged, though that may not happen, according to reports. Certainly, many should want to be ministers. The titles look seductive, probably as much so as the top titles at corporate entities.

What they don't know is life at the top can be lonely and tough. That is the conclusion of interviews of over 150 current and former chief executives in "The Secrets of CEOs".

"Being a CEO should be one of the best jobs in the world. It offers the chance to make a real difference. However, real life for most CEOs is tough and many are not enjoying it."

If you don't believe the book, ask former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Samak Sundaravej. I can count on new Premier Somchai Wongsawat saying the same. On Wednesday, he was so glad for the overwhelming votes putting him in the post. Just wait for a few months when the impacts of the US crisis grow clearer, and let's see if that smile still remains on his face.

Still, the upside must be greater than the downside or people would not fight so hard to get to the top.