The "Old Ginger" Cabinet is unlike its elected counterparts in another way: it is virtually silent.

Most of its members rarely express their opinions, either in Cabinet meetings or public.

One reason the military appointees are tight-lipped may be their leader, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

If Surayud's Cabinet meeting room were a classroom, then Surayud would be like a teacher who lectures but does not encourage a lively discussion.

The atmosphere is quite official and the ministers are like students taking - or pretending to take - notes.

This is in contrast to the previous Cabinet. Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra was never short of words. He often turned into a comic during meetings or slammed his ministers with harsh words.

Now a hush has fallen over Cabinet meetings.

"We mainly talk only about issues that are our responsibility or when the prime minister asks our opinion. We rarely comment [during Cabinet meetings]," said one minister.

Surayud also allows ministers to meet him freely. As a result, they can say what they want in private rather than having to speak up in a room full of ministers.

Another reason the Cabinet is reticent is that its weekly meetings are now recorded on audio - on the suggestion of Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan - instead of in writing as was done before.

"We don't speak much usually. The tape [recording] makes us almost shut our mouths," another minister said.

But after keeping quiet throughout the formal three- or four-hour meetings the ministers have to find a way to relax, and the lunch afterwards is the perfect place for them talk freely and without anxiety.

Deputy government spokeswoman Netpreeya Chumchaiyo said there were no comments

from Cabinet members when it came to the agenda for acknowledgement. The ministers usually expressed their opinions only on the agenda of matters for consideration.

Even then, Netpreeya said, they are careful what they say because matters on the agenda have already been considered by the Cabinet's two screening committees - economic, and social and legal - chaired by Deputy Premier and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula and Deputy Premier and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras respectively.

Surayud's ministers rarely even talk outside Cabinet meetings.

They neither speak in public forums nor give interviews to the media. In fact, most like to sneak away from the media, and Surayud usually has to drag them with him to weekly press conferences after the Cabinet meeting.

Indeed, the "Old Ginger" Cabinet is a silent one that rarely talks to the press and the people. Its 29 ministers are so uncommunicative that it is difficult to recognise some of them or assess their performance.

They are so withdrawn that we do not know what they are doing.

Piyanart Srivalo

 The Nation