The Straits Times, March 1, 2007
BANGKOK - Thailand's military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on Thursday that he will reshuffle the Cabinet within the next few days following the abrupt resignation of the finance minister.
'Give me three to four days. Next week I will say how we will reshuffle the Cabinet,' General Surayud told reporters.
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula abruptly resigned on Wednesday from Thailand's troubled government, casting further doubts on the country's political stability.
Gen Surayud said Deputy Premier and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras will take over Mr Pridiyathorn's role as deputy overseeing economic policy before the new finance minister is named next week.
Gen Surayud declined to comment on Mr Pridiyathorn's resignation.
A possible replacement for Mr Pridiyathorn is Mr Virabongsa Ramangkura, who has served previously as deputy prime minister and finance minister. He resigned on Wednesday as chairman of the Export-Import Bank of Thailand.
However, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported that Mr Virabongsa had turned down an offer from Privy Council Chairman Prem Tinasulanonda to assume the post. The council is a powerful advisory body to the country's constitutional monarch.
Other possible candidates include former Bank of Thailand head Chatumongkol Sonakul and Mr Ekamol Khiriwat, former chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mr Pridiyathorn, who faced widespread criticism for policies that dismayed foreign investors, was vague about the reasons for his departure. He cited differences of opinion with Cabinet ministers, whom he declined to name.
He also said he felt uncomfortable working alongside people with links to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup last September.
'People with links to the previous government still hold political office,' he said. 'I don't want to work under circumstances in which there are hidden agendas and influences.' -- AP
BANGKOK - Thailand's military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on Thursday that he will reshuffle the Cabinet within the next few days following the abrupt resignation of the finance minister.'Give me three to four days. Next week I will say how we will reshuffle the Cabinet,' General Surayud told reporters.
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula abruptly resigned on Wednesday from Thailand's troubled government, casting further doubts on the country's political stability.
Gen Surayud said Deputy Premier and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras will take over Mr Pridiyathorn's role as deputy overseeing economic policy before the new finance minister is named next week.
Gen Surayud declined to comment on Mr Pridiyathorn's resignation.
A possible replacement for Mr Pridiyathorn is Mr Virabongsa Ramangkura, who has served previously as deputy prime minister and finance minister. He resigned on Wednesday as chairman of the Export-Import Bank of Thailand.
However, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported that Mr Virabongsa had turned down an offer from Privy Council Chairman Prem Tinasulanonda to assume the post. The council is a powerful advisory body to the country's constitutional monarch.
Other possible candidates include former Bank of Thailand head Chatumongkol Sonakul and Mr Ekamol Khiriwat, former chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mr Pridiyathorn, who faced widespread criticism for policies that dismayed foreign investors, was vague about the reasons for his departure. He cited differences of opinion with Cabinet ministers, whom he declined to name.
He also said he felt uncomfortable working alongside people with links to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup last September.
'People with links to the previous government still hold political office,' he said. 'I don't want to work under circumstances in which there are hidden agendas and influences.' -- AP
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