The appointment of Somkid Jatusripitak as sufficiency-economy envoy has caused more controversy for the government, with former allies turning foe and vowing to bring it down.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced yesterday it would decide tomorrow how it would protest against the appointment.

Somkid was "economic tsar" in the ousted Thaksin Shinawatra government.

PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the selection of Somkid was the last straw for the PAD.

Leaders are assembling at Manager Group headquarters, where its ties with the government will be reconsidered.

Suriyasai said the Surayud Chulanont government would "definitely" be forced to reconsider.

Somkid's role in the administration is to explain the sufficiency theory to foreign countries.

"If the government does not take any action over this, we will review PAD ties with the government," Suriyasai said.

Somkid could reduce public pressure against his appointment by proving he had renounced his support for Thaksinomics.

"Somkid's first job should not be launching a public relations campaign to explain sufficiency to foreigners but to tell Thais what damage Thaksinomics did to the country," Suriyasai said.

PAD coordinator Somsak Kosaisuk said the group disagreed with the appointment because it "confused the public about the government's stand".

"Somkid is being investigated by the Assets Examination Committee for rubber-industry corruption but the prime minister appointed him to work on foreign policy," Somsak said.

"I doubt whether Somkid is the only person who can make explanations to foreign countries."

Somsak said Somkid stood by Thaksinomics for a long time and had never distanced himself from the Thaksin regime, "so he has no pride to be in this position".

Somkid's appointment underlined perceptions the government lacked capable personnel.

"I don't think foreigners will regain confidence in Thailand because of Somkid," Somsak added.

Suriyasai denied PAD was divided over the appointment. PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul earlier supported the Somkid move. Suriyasai asserted Sondhi had called on Somkid to repent.

Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachornprasart yesterday criticised Surayud for his pick.

Sanan said it was not fair to other parties. Somkid waited until after the coup to leave Thai Rak Thai and he was Thaksin's right-hand man in charge of the economy for six years.

Sanan said the selection hinted at a Thaksin return to power after the next election.

He said the Thai Rak Thai splinter group Matchima planned for Somkid to assume its leadership. Matchima and Thai Rak Thai could later appoint Thaksin as prime minister.

"I don't know why the prime minister did this. But the appointment will lead to turmoil. The military-backed government must remain neutral and should not recruit members of any party to hold office because that party will gain an advantage," Sanan said.

"I'm concerned the government will not survive its term. The prime minister is a good man, so it is too bad his reputation will be destroyed because of this."

Sanan suspected the Somkid appointment smacked of political collusion.

"The government needs to be fair to other political parties. We have to work hard and campaign but eventually there will be political collusion," Sanan said.

Sanan added the selection would discourage permanent officials from testifying before the AEC out of fear of reprisals by Somkid if he ever became prime minister.

Meanwhile, Matchima member Sophon Phetsawang said the Democrat and Chat Thai parties opposed Somkid because they were jealous.

Sophon believed the Surayud government would need qualified people, so the Democrat and Chat Thai parties, as well as PAD, should nominate members to join the government

Sathien Wiriyaphanpongsa,

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation.