• 
• 

Published on January 23, 2008

Surapong Suebwonglee, a key member of the inner circle of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, looks set to take the finance post, barring any political hitches.

Surapong has already sent subtle signals that he wants to assume one of the country's most important Cabinet portfolios during this time of political instability and global financial jitters. As secretary-general of the People Power Party, the core member of the coalition government, Surapong has emerged with the political clout to set the course for the new administration.

A source, who asked not to be named, said former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh might take the post of deputy prime minister in charge of national security and poverty eradication.

Surapong said outsiders were reluctant to serve as finance minister because of the "politics of destruction" so evident in the current political climate.

"The murky political situation has created concern among outsiders. Besides, a finance minister will be subject to tough legal scrutiny if he really assumes the job," he said.

One political observer saw a 99-per-cent chance for Surapong to get his wish, although he would need to deal with the shaky economic situation and financial markets on day one of taking office without any time for on-the-job training.

"The stock market's fall over the past few days will be a good test as to whether he could handle it. Perhaps his name has been floated by the party to test the market. But most people in the market have been grumbling that he's not a suitable candidate," he said.

Surapong insisted that whoever fills the finance office must display leadership qualities and dare to make decisions.

"We are considering several candidates who have been formulating policies for the party from the beginning. Their names might not have appeared in the public eye. We also have several staff working behind the scenes," he said.

The finance minister will not be working alone in tackling economic problems but will be assisted by a team of experts and other academics who are willing to work for the country, he said.

Samak Sundaravej will be a shoo-in for Friday's election of the prime minister, before a Cabinet line-up is announced. As a coalition government with 315 out of 480 MPs, the Cabinet quota will be based on one slot per nine seats.

Surapong said if he was appointed finance minister, he would seek to ditch the controversial 30-per-cent reserve requirement imposed by the Bank of Thailand on capital flows to curb baht speculation.

He said he would quickly try to revive confidence in private investment and consumption to fire up economic growth.

Over the next one to two days, the People Power Party will invite its coalition partners to discuss the establishment of the economic team.

As to whether he was a greenhorn in economic matters, Surapong said: "Novice, so what?"

For defence minister, another yet unclaimed post, Thaksin, who is still pulling the strings behind People Power, favours a certain retired Army chief, an officer from Pre-Cadet Class 10 said on the condition of anonymity.

"General Somdhat Attanand is seen as neutral and capable of coordinating with the armed forces and the new government," the officer said in explaining Thaksin's decision.

Initially it was believed that Thaksin, who is not directly involved in the workings of the coalition government being formed, would like the defence portfolio to go to one of his People Power allies.

But this would face strong resistance from the military, the source said.

In deliberating on a shortlist of candidates, Thaksin consulted with his mates from Pre-Cadet Class 10 to locate a retired officer who was acceptable to the armed forces but who would not become a puppet of the incumbent military leaders, he said.

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda had pushed for his former boss, General Pravit Wongsuwan, but this nomination was not supported by Thaksin, he said.

Anupong argued that Pravit was a respected figure and a classmate of members of the Council for National Security, including Supreme Commander General Boonsarng Niumpradit and Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, he said.

As Pravit had met several times with Thaksin's wife Pojaman, it was rumoured that he could be poised to accept the post, he said.

People Power has circulated many names, including two former supreme commanders, General Ruangroj Mahasaranond and General Chaisit Shinawatra, but the military shot them down, he said.

At this juncture, Thaksin sees Somdhat as the right man for the job as Anupong had served under him, he said.

Should Somdhat fail to win acceptance by military leaders, Thaksin may turn to former supreme commander General Sampao Chusri as an alternative, he said.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said yesterday's Cabinet meeting was his last, now that there's a House of Representatives with a speaker and deputies. He expects the new prime minister would be elected on Friday and his royal endorsement to follow on Monday.

Surayud's deputies Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Kosit Panpiemras, who is also industry minister, were absent from the meeting as they were abroad.

Nerisa Nerykhiew,

Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation