FROM CLAM TO CRAB GOVERNMENTS
Life talks to Somlak Songsamphant, whose 37-year career in the Secretariat of the Prime Minister is recorded in her new book
From the Thanin Kraivichien government following the massacre of Oct 6, 1976, the premiership of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda in the 80s, the post-economic crisis time of Chuan Leekpai up to the politically turbulent times of Thaksin Shinawatra, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Yingluck Shinawatra — few have witnessed the history of Thai contemporary politics as closely as Somlak Songsamphant.
Throughout the 37-year career in office of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister, the 62-year-old first started as a policy and planning analyst in the external policy division before becoming deputy secretary general to the prime minister during the Abhisit government and inspector general of the Prime Minister’s Office during Yingluck Shinawatra’s time.
“A lot of people asked me why I hadn’t written about my career and I thought if I didn’t write, everything would soon disappear,” said Somlak, speaking of her recent book 37 Years, Political Diary: From Clam To Crab Government (“clam” being the nickname of Tanin Kraivixien’s administration and “crab” being Yingluck’s nickname in Thai). “It’s for my own memory and also as reference for other people. Without this book, such history would soon be gone.”
In a recent interview with Life, Somlak shared more about the process of writing the book and the story of her career.
Can you tell us a bit about your writing process for this book?
At first I started writing it on my own and then I was referred to the SEA Writeawarded writer Ngampan Vejjajiva who helped arrange and edit my writing. She gave me advice on the writing and also suggested I include information on my role and responsibilities while discussing each prime minister I worked for. I began with the recent period, from Thaksin Shinawatra onwards, because it wasn’t too long ago and I could still remember things quite clearly. Then I went back over to those prime ministers in the earlier days by trying to recall memorable moments. After I finished, I sent it over to Ngampan who I must say is a very good editor. She helped arrange it properly whilst at the same time retaining everything I had written.
If you have to choose just one favourite prime minister, who would it be?
Actually, I loved working with many prime ministers but if I have to choose one, it would have to be Abhisit Vejjajiva. I worked with him since he first became an MP and government spokesman. At that time, he was new to the bureaucratic system so I helped guide him and we worked from early till late every day.
When he became prime minister I was trusted to work as the deputy secretary general to the prime minister. One of the many memorable moments was after the riot blocking during the 2009 Asean summit meeting in Pattaya or the 2010 unrest, when I was entrusted to work out plans for him to meet with ambassadors and foreign media to clarify the situation and boost public confidence. I liked working for him because he knew me well and whatever I did, he would know what my intentions were and wouldn’t get mad or criticise me, which made me comfortable working for him.
As part of the political game, slander and position-transferring are typical. How did you deal with this?
I didn’t really care much when it came to positions. I didn’t really care either about all the slandering and the political games, because I believe that if you really do your work well, people will see that. I just believe that what’s ours will be ours. If it’s not yours, it’s never going to be yours no matter how hard you try.
Who would have thought that Abhisit would become prime minister then? If he hadn’t seen me work before, I wouldn’t have become deputy secretary general to the prime minister. About position transferring, it’s just something you have to deal with and be always ready.
When I was transferred to become inspector general of the Prime Minister’s Office, it was generally seen as a backward step. Yet, this opportunity gave me a chance to learn about and help with the lives in the upcountry instead of just travelling abroad. It was a shame that I got to do that for just a short period of time.
Each individual is bound to have their political ideology. How have you dealt with that when working for many different governments?
I work for the country’s leader, not a particular political party. The challenge was to adapt my way of working to fit each prime minister’s personal style. Some might not like lengthy reports while others might not be up for certain types of tasks so we would have to find someone else to replace them. In terms of public relations, we had to listen to the media in order to build a good image for the government. I didn’t think political leaning was significant at all because all of us who work there have to adapt ourselves and work according to each government’s policy. We try and work our very best for whoever becomes prime minister.
What are your thoughts and suggestions on the Thai bureaucratic system?
After all these years of working, I haven’t seen any improvements. One small task usually requires so many people and those who have to work harder will complain. They don’t think working hard will get them experience.
After a while, with no progress in their career, people usually quit and end up working for companies in the private sector instead, with bureaucracy just being like internship time. There are a lot of people, but there are few who actually work. It’s just what former prime minister Thaksin used to say, that instead of managing the people we already have, we add in more, consequently making it a big yet weak system.