Thai PM adviser agrees to be finance minister

The Straits Times, March 6, 2007


BANGKOK - Economic think-tank chief Chalongphob Sussangkarn has agreed to become finance minister of Thailand's military-appointed interim government, the Nation newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Mr Chalongphob, whose Thailand Development Research Institute opposed capital controls imposed in December to curb speculation in the baht, is an economic adviser to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

He would replace Mr Pridiyathorn Devakula, who resigned last week, the Nation said.

An aide to Mr Chalongphob declined to comment on the report, saying: 'Let's wait for the announcement.'

Mr Chalongphob, 56, a Cambridge-educated economist who once worked for the World Bank and lectured at the University of California, Berkley, was the latest candidate to emerge since Mr Pridiyathorn quit, citing Cabinet infighting.

Former central bank governor Chatu Mongol Sonakul, who now runs a posh Italian restaurant in Bangkok's newest shopping mall, was an early favourite.

Mr Virabongsa Ramangkura, an economist who was deputy prime minister in 1997 when a baht devaluation triggered the Asian economic crisis, was another.

Mr Kosit Pampiemras, now a deputy prime minister and industry minister, appeared to have dropped out of the running after Gen Surayud said Mr Kosit would handle economic matters until a replacement was found.

Gen Surayud is expected to carry out a minor reshuffle of his Cabinet following Mr Pridiyathorn's resignation, but it was not clear when he would send a revised list of ministers to revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej for endorsement. -- REUTERS