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Published on February 11, 2008

The reason is that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's Cabinet is rather disappointing, composed as it is of figures who raise doubts regarding their ability to perform in their assigned jobs.

"The PPP formed the government without concern for the feelings of the people who voted for it," said one businessman.

He believes ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was behind the appointment of many of these "nominee" ministers and is disappointed that Thaksin was so short-sighted as to have chosen such people.

However, there is another school of thought that believes Thaksin could be wiser than appears.

For more than a year Thailand was ruled by an appointed government that was believed to consist of only the best people. The former prime minister, Surayud Chulanont, and all his ministers were believed to be honest and dedicated to the good of the country.

But even with this "best" government, there were loud complaints about the slow pace of action.

The Surayud government for instance did nothing to allay concerns that the bidding for several planned mega-projects might be tainted by corruption if it was held under an elected government. During its entire term it called bidding for just one of the planned five mass-transit rail routes.

Another public disappointment was the slowness of the Council for National Security in proving its reasons for staging the 2006 coup, and though Thaksin has been kept out of the country since the coup, he will soon return safe and sound.

This fact led another businessman to think that Thaksin might be wiser than anyone thought in selecting people who drew a "Yee!" of disapproval from the Thai public.

"He must have chosen them just to prove to the public that even this lot can do better," he said.

Who has ever said Thaksin is stupid?

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation