Puea Pandin gives ground

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had submitted the names of the entire Cabinet to His Majesty the King for endorsement.

Puea Pandin, one of the seven coalition partners, said it had decided to nominate Charnchai Chairungrueng, a businessman, as industry minister, replacing its earlier choice of Ranongruk Suwanchawee.

Ranongruk failed to impress leaders of the private sector when a tentative Cabinet line-up was unveiled.

The Board of Trade of Thailand and Thai Chamber of Commerce yesterday also expressed disappointment with the tentative choices for industry and commerce ministers.

In the tentative line-up, the little-known Pornthiva Nakasai, who has an entertainment-business background, was to be commerce minister.

Both economic ministers are expected to play a major role in driving economic growth at this crucial juncture.

Puea Pandin sources said Ranongruk would now move to the Information and Communications Technology Ministry. Charnchai had been proposed as a deputy interior minister.

In addition, Pruektichai Damrongrat and Narisara Chavaltantipipat were respectively nominated as deputy finance minister and deputy education minister, both under the Puea Pandin quota.

In the case of the Newin faction there was only one change, with Chartchai Pukkayaporn, whose family runs Sri Patum University, nominated as deputy agriculture minister.

Chaovarat Chanweerakul was still slated as interior minister, with Boonjong Wongtrairat as deputy interior minister, Sophon Saram as transport minister and Prajak Kaewklahan as deputy transport minister.

Meanwhile Pramon Sutivong, chairman of the Board of Trade and Thai Chamber of Commerce, yesterday told Abhisit that the private sector was disappointed with the choice of economic ministers in the first Cabinet line-up.

"The current economic crisis shows that Thailand needs highly qualified ministers to solve the serious problems," said Pramon.

He said the tentative choices for commerce and industry did not inspire the private sector and confidence would remain at a low ebb if there were no changes.

Competent economic ministers are needed, he said, especially to integrate policies driving the export sector, hit hard by the global economic downturn.

He added that since Thailand would hold the presidency of Asean next year, the government needed a highly qualified commerce minister well versed in international trade and its ramifications.

The chamber told Abhisit that Kiat Sittheeamorn of the Democrat Party was a suitable candidate for commerce.

In response to the private sector's comments, Abhisit said: "I understand their reaction, but I am nonetheless obliged to achieve a political balance to pave the way for the government to work successfully."

Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, deputy secretary-general of the chamber, said the government would enjoy no honeymoon period after taking office.

"The private sector wants to see urgent action to deal with the problems, and we cannot afford to have ministers who need to learn on the job," said Pornsilp.

All economic ministers, he stressed, should have solid track records so that they can effectively manage the economy during this difficult period.

Besides the immediate issues of law and order and rising unemployment, the private sector wants the new government to come up with medium- and long-term policies on educational reform and international competitiveness, as well as sectoral strategies for investment, trading, tourism, logistics, taxation and energy development.