Yingluck's choice of foreign minister draws flak

Aug 10, 2011
(MCOT online news)

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BANGKOK, Aug 10 - The selection of Pheu Thai deputy leader Surapong Towijakchaikul as foreign minister of Yingluck administration has come under heavy criticism due to his lack of experience in foreign affairs, but he urged the public and ministry officials to give him a chance to work.

Despite criticism that he is unsuitable for the post to represent Thailand to the world, the Chiang Mai MP related of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he welcomed criticism and conceded that he was inexperienced in foreign affairs, but he pledged to work to his best ability.

"I'm confident that I can do the job given that I have full support from the officials and the people," the veteran MP said.

Regarding opposition to his appointment among foreign ministry officials, Mr Surapong said he was new to the job but time will prove himself and it was not hard to learn.

The new foreign minister pledged to speed up working to restore Thailand's relations with its neighbouring countries, Cambodia in particular.

Following the recent bloody clashes in a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia which left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead, and tens of thousands of villagers displaced in a border dispute, the Cambodian government sent a congratulatory message to Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, saying it hoped the new government will resolve border issues "more positively than the previous government."

Mr Surapong also promised not to let personal relations with Mr Thaksin affect his work.

In response to the question as to whether he would help bring Mr Thaksin home or return his passport, the new foreign minister said he would study in detail whether what happened to the ousted premier was correct or not. Then he would right the wrong.

Mr Surapong, 58, earned a doctoral degree in engineering from the University of Akron, Ohio, in the United States. He began his political career with the Democrat Party before later switching to the Thaksin camp. The long-time MP served as chairman of the House Committee on Monetary Affairs, Finance, Banking and Financial Institutions. (MCOT online news)