On October 3, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra revealed the composition of his new Cabinet as part of his overall effort to reform the country's bureaucracy. This year the reshuffle of the Cabinet is very significant, as it has taken place in tandem with the creation of six new ministries - the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the Culture Ministry, the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.
Also significant is the fact that the role and functions assigned to Thailand's six Deputy Prime Ministers has been widened to include responsibilities for specific policy issues in the fields of foreign affairs General Chavalit Yongchaiyudth...