Now Abhisit must prove his words

Witoon was accused by the opposition of allowing the ministry to purchase the rotten canned fish to distribute to flood victims in the southern province of Patthalung. Although the investigation has not been concluded, Witoon would have found it hard to continue his term due to the public pressure. The case should serve as a warning to politicians that they cannot get away with any scandal easily. Voters have set high standards for politicians and were not willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Witoon even though the investigation is not yet over. His resignation was thus expected. After all, Abhisit said during his first days in office that Cabinet members must follow nine strict rules.

One of the rules states that Cabinet members should always be aware they are public figures and must consider public sentiment. They should not become involved in any activity that may lead to questions of trust and faith. Abhisit also called for his ministers to uphold higher standards than the public and to consider the public benefit before theirs or the government's.

The public is also watching Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, a Bhum Jai Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima, who is suspected of vote buying by distributing Bt500 bills with his business card to constituents in the northeastern province.

In the past, Thai politicians accused of being involved in scandals tended to wait until court rulings, preferring to hang on to office regardless of the pressure from society. In other countries, politicians tend to show responsibility by promptly reacting to public pressure.

Witoon's case should give Abhisit a lesson on how to carefully select ministers during the next reshuffle. People have higher hopes of this PM than his predecessors; that he will set higher standards for politicians and will restore public trust in the political systems. Abhisit got off to a promising start with his nine rules. Now it's time for him to prove that he meant what he said.