Cabinet to be finished this weekend, says post-coup Thai PM
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- Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:34:14 +0800
Cabinet to be finished this weekend, says post-coup Thai PM
Posted: 07 October 2006 0515 hrs
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BANGKOK : Thailand's military-backed premier Surayud Chulanont confirmed that
his cabinet line up of 35 ministers would be completed this weekend, but refused
to disclose any names.
"I think all the names of all the ministers are expected to be complete either
on Saturday or Sunday," the former general told reporters.
But he declined to say how many ministers may hold dual positions, or speculate
on any names, saying only that the selection will go "according to procedure".
"I am listening to comments from all parties and adjusting whatever I can
adjust, but I am also restricted by the short time frame," said Surayud, who was
installed last weekend by the military that overthrew prime minister Thaksin
Shinawatra on September 19.
So far, two leading banking figures have confirmed they will join Surayud's
government, and several other bankers are reportedly considering it.
Central bank chief Pridiyathorn Devakula is widely expected to be finance
minister, while Bangkok Bank executive chairman Kosit Panpiemras has also
confirmed that he will accept a cabinet position.
Other names emerging include former ambassador to Washington and trade
negotiator Nit Pibulsongkram as foreign minister, and Piyasvasti Amranand,
former head of the National Energy Policy Council, as energy minister.
However pressure groups have urged Surayud to stay away from figures tainted by
previous controversies, local media reported Friday.
The Nation newspaper quoted Saree Ongsomwang, from the Foundation for Consumers,
as saying that Nit failed to listen to the Thai people when negotiating a
Thai-US free trade agreement.
She also questioned the possible inclusion in the cabinet of Piyasvasti, who may
prove unpopular because of his role in pushing the failed privatization of the
nation's biggest utility, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
BANGKOK : Thailand's military-backed premier Surayud Chulanont confirmed that
his cabinet line up of 35 ministers would be completed this weekend, but refused
to disclose any names.
"I think all the names of all the ministers are expected to be complete either
on Saturday or Sunday," the former general told reporters.
But he declined to say how many ministers may hold dual positions, or speculate
on any names, saying only that the selection will go "according to procedure".
"I am listening to comments from all parties and adjusting whatever I can
adjust, but I am also restricted by the short time frame," said Surayud, who was
installed last weekend by the military that overthrew prime minister Thaksin
Shinawatra on September 19.
So far, two leading banking figures have confirmed they will join Surayud's
government, and several other bankers are reportedly considering it.
Central bank chief Pridiyathorn Devakula is widely expected to be finance
minister, while Bangkok Bank executive chairman Kosit Panpiemras has also
confirmed that he will accept a cabinet position.
Other names emerging include former ambassador to Washington and trade
negotiator Nit Pibulsongkram as foreign minister, and Piyasvasti Amranand,
former head of the National Energy Policy Council, as energy minister.
However pressure groups have urged Surayud to stay away from figures tainted by
previous controversies, local media reported Friday.
The Nation newspaper quoted Saree Ongsomwang, from the Foundation for Consumers,
as saying that Nit failed to listen to the Thai people when negotiating a
Thai-US free trade agreement.
She also questioned the possible inclusion in the cabinet of Piyasvasti, who may
prove unpopular because of his role in pushing the failed privatization of the
nation's biggest utility, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
- AFP /ls
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