March 2005 : Royal Approval on New Cabinet HM the King gave royal approval on PM Thaksin Shinawatra, his cabinet members and the House speakers. Thaksin announced 9 statements, policies in the parliament. Democrat party elected new administration members head by Abhisit Vejjajiva who proposed 9 resolutions to solve violence in the south. Anan Panyarachun named his 48 members National Reconciliation Committee for cabinet appointment, The cabinet endorsed principles on compensation to Tak Bai victims totaled 30 million baht. New cabinet The 23th prime minister , Thaksin Shinawatra and his 55th cabinet members of 35 people was endorsed by HM the King namely: Somkid Jatusripitak as deputy prime minister and minister of finance. Pol. Gen. Chidchai Wanasathit as deputy prime minister and minister of interior. Chaturon Chaisaeng as deputy prime minister. Surakiat Sathirathai as deputy prime minister. Pinit Charusombhat as deputy prime minister. Visanu Kruengarm as deputy prime minister Suranand Vejjajiva as minister to the prime minister’s office. Gen. Thamarak Isarangkul na Ayudhya as minister of defense. Varathep Rattanakorn as deputy finance minister. Chaiyos Sasomsup as deputy finance minister Kantathee Supamongkol as minister of foreign affairs. Preecha Loahapongchana as deputy minister of foreign affairs Somsak Thepsuthin as minister of tourism and sports Pracha Maleenond as minister of social development and human securities. Sudarat keyuraphan as minister of agricultures and cooperatives Newin Chidchob as deputy minister of agricultures and cooperatives. Suriya Juengrungreaungkit as minister of communications Adisorn Peangket as deputy minister of communications Phoomtham Vejayachai as deputy minister of communications. Yongyuth Thiyapairat as minister of natural resources and environment. Suwit Kunkitti as minister of information technology and communications. Tanong Pittaya as minister of commerce. Suriya Larpvisuthisin as deputy minister of commerce. Wiseth Jupiban as minister of energy. Sermsak Pongpanich as deputy minister of interior. Somchai Soonthornwat as deputy minister of interior. Suwat Liptapanlop as minister of justice. Sora-at Klinpratum as minister of labor forces. Uraiwan Theinthong as minister of culture. Korn Thapparansri as minister of science and technology. Adisai Bhotharamic as minister of education. Rung Kaewdang as deputy minister of education. Suchai Chareonratanakul as minister of public health. Anuthin Charnvirakul as deputy minister of public health. Wattana Muangsuk as minister of industry. Pokin elected as House Speaker HM the King, on March 8, endorsed 1] Pokin Polakul Thai Rak Thai party list MP to become the new House Speaker and Parliamentary Speaker, 2] Suchart Tanchareon, Thai Rak Thai MP from Chacheonsao province to become the House first deputy speaker and 3] Lalita Rirksamram, Thai Rak Thai BMA MP to become second deputy speaker. All three speakers were voted by the parliament in March 7. Thaksin’s vision on statement policy PM Thaksin Shinawatra on March 23 announced his policy statement to the House of Representatives that the upcoming 4 years of his administration will be a radical changes of the country towards stability and security, giving opportunity to all and lay down new foundation in economic, social and political through 9 public policies; Ending poverty by focusing on personal opportunity, create income and minimize expenditure through setting up economic promotional mobile units to solve grassroots’ problem. Enhance human development and social security by encourage lifelong education, child development, increase quality of lift through public health management and reformation, suppress drugs, tax waive to senior citizens over 65 years of age, reform public transportation system in BMA and expand service area of Bangkok mass transit system. Restructure the entire economic system to the equilibrium and competency. Management of natural resources and environment by promoting private sector and local community participation , focusing of soil and water resources richness and implement a measure and warning system to prevent natural catastrophe. Develop foreign policy through focusing on equal trading, promoting Thai diplomats in the international arenas. Legal development by canceling laws breaching the Constitution and human rights, legislation reform, bureaucratic reform and restructure, using technology as tool for planning and decision making and prevent and suppress of corruptions. Democracy promotion and civil society focusing on public participation and fostering human rights and liberties and decentralization of power to local authority. National security focusing on developing national defense to appropriate standard, stimulate public conscious and participation while cooperate with neighbor countries in protecting and solving international criminals and terrorists. Policy in accords to the national basic policy. He also assured the parliament that his administration would steer the country to wealth through promotion of social justice and winning corruption. Democrat party got new leader Democrat party members, on March 5, elected Abhisit Vejjajiva to become new party leader and the new administration team includes: Sutep Tueaksuban, party list MP, as secretariat. Apiralk Kosayodhin, BMA governoe, as deputy leader. Viyhoon Ngambutra, Ubonratchathani MP, as deputy leader. Jurin Raksanavisit , party list MP, as deputy leader. Nipon Promphan, party list MP, as deputy leader. Chaivuth Banawat, Tak MP, as deputy leader. Trirong Suwankiri, party list MP, as deputy leader. Vittaya Kaewparadi, Nakorn Srithammarat, MP, as deputy leader. Alongkorn Polbutra, Petchburi MP, as deputy leader. Surin Ptisuwan, Nakorn Srithammarat MP as deputy leader. Abhisit disclosed his urgent policy to solve violence in the south and remedy of tsunami effected area. Moreover the party will promote public participation in political consciousness and encourage party’s members towards domestic and global changes. National reconciliation commission Anand Panyarachun, chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission [ NRC], submit a name list of 48 members to PM Thaksin Shinawatra. The commissioners shall comprise of elites from multidisciplinary groups, politicians, religious and civil society leaders namely Pravej Wasri, Gen. Narong Dejudom former army chief, Pipop Thongchai children rights activist, Dr. Ammar Saimwala TDRI advisor, Kodhom Areeya former EC members and Surichai Wankaew academician who initiated the idea of a reconciliation commission. The commission whose term is 9 months period shall be responsible in proposing policy, measure and means to reconcile and promote peace in the south. It will be done through study, research and monitor of violence. Public will be informed on the result and repercussion of hatred and violence and learn to respect social and cultural diversity in order to achieve peaceful solution. Cabinet approved Tak Bai compensation The cabinet approved on a 30 million baht budget to compensate victims on Tak Bai incidence of October 25, 2004 on the following principles; 1] 300,000 baht each to the families of 85 dead persons and 7 missing 3] 130,000 baht and continue medical expense each to the 11 seriously injured and disabled 4] 20,000 baht each to the minor injured and 5] maximum of 4,500 baht each to persons lost or damage of assets. The compensation will be directly provided to the victims through Narathivas provincial governor. Abhisit proposed 9 solutions to southern violence Abhisit Vejjajiva, Demovcrat party leader, on March 30, after the extraordinary session of the House proposed 9 means to solve violence in the south as follow; Cancel plan to withhold financial assistance to violence-plagued villages. Use development projects to clear the government’s image that favors use of violence. Name a civilian instead of military or police officer to lead efforts to solve the problem. Arrange proper rehabilitation, remedial and compensation programs for the injured and relatives of dead victims. Improve economy in the three southernmost provinces and reduce unemployment. Improve the quality of education. Encourage local officials to learn more about Muslim culture. Allow international organizations to help solve problems. Listen to advice from the National Reconciliation Commission.