Warm welcome for 'listener'

Published on August 04, 2005 - Thanks to a willingness to listen and compromise, the new education minister, Chaturon Chaisang, has received a warm welcome. But that side of his character could backfire if he is seen as giving too much ground, writes Chularat Saengpassa.

From day one, newly appointed Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang can look forward to his new job in buoyant mood.

Although never involved in educational reform, Chaturon was nevertheless warmly welcomed by his ministry colleagues. He is seen as a gentle and considerate type who is ready to listen.

After eight months of fractiousness in the Education Ministry caused by controversial appointments of inspectors by his predecessor, Adisai Bodharamik, the soft-spoken Chaturon appears a perfect choice to placate disaffected officials.

As his appointment comes ahead of the promulgation of the Teachers Act, Adisai's uncompromising regime has been nullified. Yet teachers and educational experts remain divided into those who support Adisai's educational inspectors, and those who don't. While the case was in court, Adisai further riled teachers by refusing to give ground - or even negotiate.

Chaturon is, meanwhile, portrayed as a man of compromise, one who should be able to mend the rift. It is no surprise then that no one raised objection to his nomination. "Adisai's style did not fit in well with the overall picture of education reform," said Sompong Jitradap, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University. "He was overbearing and when his plans encountered opposition, he would threaten to cut budgets. Chaturon, on the hand, seems to be more open to criticism."

Chaturon is also seen to have better interpersonal skills. He is expected to liaise more effectively with Deputy Education Minister Rung Kaewdaeng, who repeatedly locked horns with Adisai.

A more positive environment should also help Chaturon redirect more attention to improvements of education in the deep South, which PM Thaksin Shinawatra sees as vital.

As a former deputy PM overseeing a student loan programme, Chaturon is not entirely a greenhorn in educational matters.

Yet with all the hopes being pinned on his presumed malleability, too much give could backfire. Some analysts fear he might end up spending too much time weighing the pros and cons. Such dilly-dallying could jeopardise long-overdue reforms.

Too much compromise may also expose him to attempts by influential officials to take over from behind the scenes. To neutralise such possibilities, experts suggest Chaturon handpick respected and reliable advisers.

The first lesson to learn is that not even a compromising politician can satisfy everyone, and that taking a stand is sometimes unavoidable.