BANGKOK, Feb 6 (Bernama) — Thailand’s first elected government in 16 months was sworn in today, comprising Cabinet members from six coalition parties who are mostly allies of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, 72, led his Cabinet members to an audience with the revered 80-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej before they were sworn in in a ceremony held 45 days after the country’s general election.
The former Bangkok governor and veteran of Thai politics led the People’s Power Party (PPP) to victory in the Dec 23 election but fell short of an outright majority to form the government on its own.
Other coalition partners are Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Matchimathipataya, Rum Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Pracharaj.
Samak will also double up as Defence Minister despite the military’s attempt to lobby for a former general to occupy the post, in an apparent move to check on the influence of the men in uniform who ousted Thaksin in September 2006.
Other prominent members of the Cabinet are PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee, who is the new Finance Minister while Mass Organisation of Thailand (MCOT) ex-president Mingkwan Saengsuwan will lead the economic team by taking over the Commerce Ministry.
Thaksin’s brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat is one of the deputy prime ministers and Minister of Education while the former premier’s spokesman and legal advisor Noppadon Pattama is the new Foreign Minister.
Speaking to reporters before the swearing-in, Noppadon said solving the Southern Thai conflict would be one of the most important tasks of his ministry.
“I will meet ministry officials tomorrow to outline the foreign policy. But the southern issue will top our priorities,” he said.
Despite the outspoken Samak leading the country, analysts and the media are convinced that Thaksin will be the “shadow prime minister”, running the country through his proxies in the Cabinet from his exile in Hong Kong and London.