AP News, February 21st, 2007
A top economic aide to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resigned Wednesday from his position in the current military-appointed government following sharp criticism from pro-democracy groups.
Somkid Jatusripitak, a former finance minister, stepped down a day after the People's Alliance for Democracy accused him of being a crony of the former prime minister and said he would bring back Thaksin's brand of economics.
"I am disappointed that my good intention to serve the country has been misinterpreted by some, but I do not want this to become a political issue that will deepen the divide in the country," Somkid told reporters.
He said he had not been in touch with Thaksin since a bloodless coup drove Thaksin from power in September.
"He has his own path ... and I have mine. I have my own thoughts and ideals, which are independent," Somkid said. "I am not attached to an individual or a position."
The People's Alliance for Democracy, which had spearheaded protests against Thaksin, said Tuesday that Somkid had engineered policies of extreme capitalism and consumerism _ which many dubbed "Thaksinomics" _ in the former government.
The military coup that ousted Thaksin followed months of mass street protests, with the alliance and other groups accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.
An alliance spokesman, Suriyasai Takasila, said Somkid's appointment would increase disunity among Thais.
Somkid, who also served as Thaksin's chief economic adviser, was appointed last week by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to head a committee to clarify the government's economic policy, especially to foreign investors.
Surayud's government has had trouble explaining to the international community its vision for a so-called sufficiency economy. The idea focuses on improving the quality of life and crafting development policies in conjunction with Thailand's resources to bring about sustainable growth.
The policy shuns the high-charged investment and overly rapid development of particular parts of the economy _ such as the lending and property sectors _ which contributed to Thailand's 1997 financial crisis.
A key protest leader and media tycoon, Sondhi Limthongkul, had warned that if Somkid did not resign, the alliance would take action against him.
