This week, seven small parties decided to back Mongkolkit Suksintaranont, leader of the Thai Civilized Party, for a cabinet positions. Why they chose to do so, I do not understand.
If anything, the decision by the parties shows that they are running out of idea and represents another failure for Thai democracy.
Pichet Sathirachawal, leader and sole MP of the Prachathamthai Party, said that he believe Mongkolkit should get a cabinet post because “the young man is going to be an important force for the country.”
If anything, Pichet who is a former deputy industry minister and former deputy transport minister, is a better candidate than the inexperienced Mongkolkit.
In fact, the only thing that Mongkolkit has going for him is his zealot-like devotion to the military. Mongkolkit has previously declared himself one of “Prayut’s soldiers” and said he would do anything to protect the general.
As an agent provocateur for the government, Mongkolkit has used his inflammatory rhetoric to combat the opposition even going so far as threatening to slap anyone who would oppose the military and funding for the military.
What’s worse than his dogmatic devotion to little green men is his lobbying for an economic position within the government.
Mongkolkit does not have any degree in economics and has never worked in any economics related field. He is not someone that should come close to an economic position given that the economy is likely to contract at least 8 per cent this year according to latest estimates.
The only reason the parties and Mongkolkit wants an economic position is because they smell the blood in the water. Economic postings are the easiest way to doll out money and the government is cash rich after passing a 1.9 trillion baht stimulus package.
I hope that the coalition government is smarter than this, I hope. But I wont be holding my breath.
