PM Counters Criticism against Cabinet

UPDATE : 10 August 2011
Thailand outlook

The prime minister insists the Cabinet line-up was carefully considered, adding that the government is set to give its policy statement in 15 days.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stressed that she and other individuals in charge carefully considered the Cabinet line-up. She assured she is ready to run the nation.

After being sworn-in before His Majesty the King this evening, the Yingluck administration is scheduled to give its policy statement in Parliament in 15 days.

She asked for an opportunity for her government to work for at least six months before assessing its performance.


She went on to say her Cabinet will have a large number of experts and advisers.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul, whose appointment has been most strongly criticized, said he is ready and determined to perform his duties while welcoming all advices.

Surapong stated he still has not talked to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra about his post and said he will review if the previous government's revocation of Thaksin's passport was lawful.

The minister said he will expedite his work and expressed confidence that the present strain on relations with Cambodia and Myanmar will be solved in the near future.

In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said he is unfazed by criticism over his qualifications and pledged there will be no corruption in the Pheu Thai-led coalition.

Chalerm said he still has no idea which area of the government's affairs he will be assigned to oversee and stated he is not sure whether he will be put in charge of supervising the national police office.

He maintained that Pheu Thai MPs who were passed over in the Cabinet nomination will not cause any disruption.

Education Minister Woravat Au-apinyakul defended criticism on his qualifications for the job, saying he has strong determination to work in this field and expressed confidence he will be able to gain trust from all sides.

Woravat added he will continue the education policies implemented by the previous government if they are beneficial.

For his own policies, Woravat said he will emphasize necessary curricular readjustment for students.