Today’s WSJ profiles Thailand’s new finance minister, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala.
Thailand’s new astrology-buff finance minister will likely need more than the stars to guide him as he attempts to steer the nation’s economy through the threat of a fresh global slowdown and high expectations for a wave of new populist policies at home.
Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, 59 years old, who was sworn in Wednesday, has a difficult balancing act to perform, analysts say. Mr. Thirachai wrote on his Facebook page the same day that he plans to keep a firm grip on government spending. But that may prove complicated as the new prime minister attempts to deliver on her free-spending campaign pledges. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra—the sister of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra—plucked Mr. Thirachai from his job as secretary-general of Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission.
Reuters also has a story. And the Bangkok Post has a piece, as well.
(All emphasis mine.)