Embattled Democrats look to restore image
The Democrat Party is pinning its hopes on the no-nonsense approach of Jurin Laksanavisit to redeem the government's damaged reputation after he was picked on Wednesday to helm the problem-plagued Public Health Ministry.
Party executives decided to move Mr Jurin from the education portfolio to public health after Witthaya Kaewparadai resigned amid allegations of irrefutable evidence of irregularities in planned purchases of medical equipment.
Mr Witthaya will replace Chinnaworn Boonyakiat as chief government whip. Mr Chinnaworn will take over as education minister from Mr Jurin.
A party source quoted Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban as saying Mr Jurin was well suited to become the new public health minister as he had a clean image and an excellent reputation.
Mr Suthep was confident Mr Jurin would ensure transparency in Public Health Ministry projects and restore public confidence in the embattled government.
Mr Jurin said the new post would be a difficult challenge but he was happy to accept the party's decision to change portfolios.
Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutharak said Mr Jurin was chosen for the job because of his experience at major ministries.
Mr Chinnaworn was given the education post because of his background as a rural teacher, a House representative for 20 years and for having worked closely with the party leader on education policy, the spokesman said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Mr Jurin has to tackle many problems including conflicts and problems of possible corruption in Public Health Ministry projects.
The ministry is plagued by allegations of procurement irregularities on projects under the economic stimulus scheme. Serious questions about the purchasing of medical equipment were raised by an independent investigation team led by former deputy permanent secretary for public health Banlu Siripanich.
The panel's report led to the resignation of Mr Witthaya and his advisers on Dec 29 to show responsibility.
Rural Doctors' Society chairman Kriangsak Vatcharanukiat said the group would meet with Mr Jurin and urge him to effectively manage the 86-billion-baht budget allocated to the Public Health Ministry. The budget should provide proper benefits for medical development and the public, he said.
"There are no questions about Mr Jurin's image. People may think the Public Health Ministry is a difficult place to work. In fact, this place welcomes every minister who has good intentions to work for the public good," he said.
Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Foundation for Consumers, called on Mr Jurin to work more closely with civil groups to tackle health-related issues including improving the health care service system and solving problems between doctors and patients.
"However, the most urgent mission for him is to make the Thai Khem Khaeng scheme clean so that the mega-spending project will truly benefit people," she said.
Chulalongkorn University education lecturer Sompong Jitradab said hoped Mr Chinnaworn would retain the education policies initiated by Mr Jurin, the Thai News Agency reported.
Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodee, meanwhile, met with the prime minister at Government House yesterday to clarify the Bhumjaithai Party's decision on Tuesday to keep him in his post until the National Anti-Corruption Commission decides what to do about the alleged scandal at the ministry.
Mr Manit, who is one of the 11 people named by the Banlu panel in connection with the alleged irregularities, requested a 30-day leave from the prime minister but it was rejected.
The prime minister said at the Democrat headquarters he had urged Mr Manit to set political standards, an indication he should resign.
The Puea Thai Party has asked the NACC to probe possible irregularities at the Public Health Ministry.
Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit urged the anti-graft office to look into the case as it feared evidence could be tampered with if prompt action was not taken to investigate.
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