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POLITICS

Not much good to say about this

Well, our warning to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat fell on deaf ears as expected, with the Dos and Don'ts list violated from the word "Go". In came Chalerm Yoobamrung and out went silly hopes that the newly elected leader would be an unexpected saviour. Sompong Amornwiwat as foreign minister and the return of Chaiya Sasomsap were just icing on the cake.



Somchai's Cabinet has "Let's Enjoy the Last Supper Before I Dissolve the House" written all over it, but at least we can completely dismiss rumours that the line-up was "the work of two ladies". There is no way a ministerial team with so many ugly male creatures could have been handpicked by women.

Newspaper headlines confirm Somchai's one-night stand with the Thai public is over. Not only did the prime minister deliver a scary Cabinet, he also managed to widen the rifts within the ruling party in the process. Leading the journalistic creativity race was the Manager with "Zombies (Phi Pop in Thai) Return" across the front page.

WHO'S THE WORST AMONG THE BAD?

The newsroom vote went unanimously for Chalerm. His appointment as public health minister made his earlier post as interior minister look good. At least Chalerm was a former police officer. What could possibly qualify him for healthcare work only he and Somchai know.

IS THERE ANY GOOD AMONG THE BAD?

The jury is still out for Finance Minister Suchart Thadathamrongvech, but the fact that he emerged from nowhere to grab the most crucial portfolio at a time when even the best brains could easily bomb does not fill us with much confidence.

Many agree that Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat is the most decent figure in the entire line-up, but how much can he do? After all, "deputy prime minister overseeing economic affairs" is the most deceptive title with the shortest life span in Thai politics.

WHAT'S BEHIND CHAVALIT'S RETURN?

This is the man to watch. A shrewd veteran such as him would not join a shaky government with a death sentence hanging over its head just for kicks. Some said this is the biggest signal that the man in London wants to break away from the Newin camp, which wields much influence in the Northeast.

If there's someone aside from Newin Chidchob who can bear the People Power Party flag in the Northeast, Chavalit is that person, but if Chavalit could achieve that, his star would rise further, as it is more than certain that Somchai will have been softened up within a matter of weeks.

Tulsat@hotmail.com


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