Chuan's hard task
No sooner had Chuan Leekpai been appointed Thailand's prime minister than he began molding his "dream team" cabinet and promised to take resolute action to cure the country's economic ills.
Chuan's induction to the premiership Sunday marked the end of a political drama and uncertainty in a country already saddled by mounting debts and a sharp decline in exports that has brought Thailand to the brink of economic collapse.
The new cabinet, set to be sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej today and hold its maiden meeting Friday, is likely to be filled with well-chosen technocrats from Chuan's own Democrat Party and other members of the seven-party coalition.
"... I will start to work immediately and will tell my economic team that they must work quickly to solve the country's problems. I have told my coalition partners to please select people who are suitable for the work and to listen to the people," the new prime minister pledged.
The naming of Chuan as Thailand's 23rd prime minister has brought euphoria among Thais. The 59-year-old lawyer-turned- politician has a proven track record as a clean and capable leader committed to serve his country and people. Chuan served as prime minister from 1992 to 1995, during which he handled his fragile coalition government well, surviving fierce opposition and internal bickering among coalition factions. Despite that brief three-year period of premiership, he was nevertheless the longest serving elected prime minister in Thailand's history.
With Chuan back at the helm now, the new government will need some time to recuperate from its economic ills. This time, as many Thai analysts agree, there will be no miracle cures. It will take two to three years before Thailand can recapture its economic boom and regain its status as one of the newly industrialized economies in the region.
Against this backdrop, Chuan's appointment should help restore the confidence of the international community in Thailand's economy and democracy. The new government, with its well-chosen team of professionals, is widely expected to perform honestly and effectively and work closely with the IMF -- which has put together a US$17.2 billion bailout package -- to solve the country's current problems.
Equally interesting in the unfolding drama of the past week is how well Thailand's democracy survived in such a time of crisis. The military demonstrated its impartial stance even as waves of demonstrators, mostly from the middle class, demanded the resignation of Chavalit Yongchaiyudth, Chuan's predecessor, who was an army general.
The military has become more mature. This is a major departure from the way it used deadly force in dealing with the political crisis in May 1992, during which over 100 young protesters were killed. The military is well aware that the growing middle class is the key to the country's economic success and that use of force would not make the situation any better.
Endowed with such an encouraging environment, many believe that Chuan and his "dream team" can solve Thailand's problems within the shortest possible time, and work in the best interests of the Thai people.