Experts question new Cabinet's efficiency in addressing ‘new hurdles’

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Cabinet was sworn in before Their Majesties on Monday, ahead of the scheduled policy statement to Parliament on Thursday and Friday, which officially starts the administration’s term.

With challenges pressing, Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, has questioned why the faces in the new Cabinet have remained unchanged, even though Thailand is confronting, what he described as “new hurdles,” like the increasing fuel prices owing to the Middle East conflict.

“There are so many challenges lying ahead, like the energy crisis and natural disasters, but the structure of the Cabinet is no different [from the previous administration],” he told Thai PBS World.

Yutthaporn said he differentiates ministers in the administration into the respected technocrats, including Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, and people from influential families, known as ‘Ban Yai’ (Big Houses).

“These are too big for the three [technocrats] to handle solely within the same structure,” he added.

Political backgrounds are prioritised over skills, he said, noting that at least 25 Cabinet seats are occupied by descendants of ‘Ban Yai’.

Increasing doubts

Meanwhile, Thammasat University political scientist Purawich Watanasukh said the government’s trust is being questioned amid deepening energy problems which, he said, "the country has never faced before."

“Given the scale of the crisis, I think three technocrats aren't enough. It's not easy to overcome, and it's likely [the problems would] get worse,” he said.

Purawich noted the recent NIDA Poll, in which most respondents doubt that the three technocrat ministers can steer the country through the current energy and economic crises.

Both academics also explained that, despite the sizeable majority in the House of the Bhumjaithai-led government, pressing impediments could affect the stability of the administration. They also cast doubt on whether the policies the government is set to implement could handle the situation and regain public trust.

Anutin’s blueprint

To tackle the energy problems, Anutin hinted on Monday that more measures may come in the future to combat the energy crisis.

“Please be assured that the government will do everything in its power to alleviate the impact on all citizens to the best of its ability, and we will never get discouraged or weary,” he said.

According to the government, the measures include accelerating the import of crude oil from alternative sources, instructing all oil refineries to operate at full capacity, increasing the blending of biofuels to reduce reliance on crude oil imports, restricting exports and promoting work-from-home measures.

The Bhumjaithai-led government’s policy statement is built on the key pillars of the economy, foreign affairs and security, social development, disaster management and the environment, public administration and legal reform.

The administration also vows to reduce energy costs, promote clean and alternative energy and ensure overall energy security for the country, according to the statement.