Why performance of Srettha’s Cabinet will be most crucial ever

Past governments were judged largely along ideological lines. By that, controversial figures in Cabinets were noted, but eventually they would be accepted as virtual necessities. When something bad about them emerged later, they would be booked, but not actually red-carded or booed off the park. When bridges crumbled or local officials received bribes from pubs full of drugs and underage customers, supporters tended to say “Horrible things happen to everyone and everywhere” but their opposite numbers would say “See? This is what we get from rulers like this.”

The upcoming government will have that privilege pulled away from under its feet. Worst still, some judgement has already been made. One latest poll which showed an alarming plunge in Pheu Thai’s popularity and big jump in Move Forward’s only confirmed that Srettha Thavisin is not inspiring confidence, and that…