Grumbling in the ranks

Twelve of the 16 Cabinet members from the Democrat Party, the core coalition partner, will serve in the administration for the first time even though many of them have been MPs for several terms.

The line-up of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's 36-member Cabinet is expected to be submitted for royal endorsement today.

PM Abhisit told reporters yesterday that he did not regard the slating of ministerial posts to Newin followers as a loss for the Democrat Party, adding that all the Cabinet members would work under him for the entire country, and not for the Democrat Party alone.

Former caretaker Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul is likely to become interior minister.

Chaovarat is the father of Anuthin Chanweerakul, a former deputy public health minister and a close friend of banned politician Newin Chidchob. As caretaker PM, Chaovarat defied pressure from fellow colleagues in the Pheu Thai Party for him to dissolve the House of Representatives when it became clear that the Democrat Party had gathered enough support to form a new government.

MPs from the Friends of Newin faction were also expected to serve as deputy ministers in the interior and transport ministries.

Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday had to explain at length to convince party executives why the interior seat had to be given to the Friends of Newin, a breakaway faction from the disbanded People Power Party.

It has become a tradition that the powerful interior seat, second only to the prime minister's, is held by someone from the coalition's leading party.

Suthep explained to the disappointed Democrat executives that it was one of the conditions sought by the Newin faction in exchange for their support for Abhisit, a party source said. Suthep was quoted as saying that, "Without them, we wouldn't have become the government."

He also told the meeting that he expected the Democrat's popularity in the Northeast to improve with a politician from the faction serving as interior minister, according to the source.

Many Democrat MPs at the meeting expressed displeasure with certain appointees.

Abhisit said he would ensure that his Cabinet members would work to the best of their ability and would warn them for failing to meet his requirements and would replace anyone who still failed to improve, according to the source.

Certain senior Democrat figures have expressed their displeasure after they were not appointed to the new Cabinet. Chuan Leekpai, the party's chief adviser, thanked the party seniors who offered not to get appointed even though they were qualified.

There will be two non-MPs in the upcoming Cabinet: former Army commander-in-chief General Prawit Wongsuwan is expected to become the defence minister, and Virachai Viramethakul, an executive from the Charoen Pokphand Group, is likely to become a PM's Office minister dealing with economic matters.

Virachai's name was inserted into the Cabinet line-up "at the last minute", which also caused much displeasure to many Democrat seniors, according to the party source.

Suthep explained to them that Virachai was also instrumental in gathering support from defecting MPs for the Democrat's bid to form the new government.

Ex-senator Chumpol Silpa-archa, from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, is likely to become the tourism and sport minister while Sanan Kachornprasart is expected to become the agriculture minister. Chumpol is the younger brother of Banharn Silpa-archa, former leader of the disbanded Chart Thai Party, which has been banned from politics for five years.

Another appointee from the former Chart Thai Party is Arunee Prisanananthakul, who is set to become deputy agriculture minister. Arunee is the niece of former agriculture minister Somsak Prisanananthakul.

 Suwit Khunkitti, a former industry minister and ex-leader of the Puea Pandin Party, is expected to become natural resources and environment minister. He is now the leader of the Social Action Party.

From the Bhumjai Thai Party, first-time MP Porntiwa Nakasai is likely to become the commerce minister.

Another woman in the new Cabinet is Ranongrak Suwanchawee from the Puea Pandin Party, who is expected to become deputy PM and industry minister.

Chaiyos Jiramethakorn, another appointee from Puea Pandin, is likely to become the minister of information and communications technology. Chaiyot made headlines a few months ago when he publicly reminded deputy interior minister Prasong Kositanon about the latter's alleged promise to vacate the post in his favour after an agreed period. Prasong rejected Chaiyot's claim.