Pm Denies Cabinet Reshuffle, Appointing New Deputy Premier

[george]

PM denies cabinet reshuffle, appointing new deputy premier

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's prime minister Surayud Chulanont on Wednesday denied a report suggesting the interim government will be reshuffled by appointing former National Security Council chief Prasong Soonsiri to be a new deputy prime minister in charge of security.

"There is no reshuffle yet," Gen. Surayud said, without giving any details.

Rumours spread that the interim government wanted Squadron Leader Prasong -- high-profile figure with long experience in security issues -- to assist in supervising national security, which needed to be boosted following threatening incidents, including the series of bombings in Bangkok and Nonthaburi on December 31.

Squadron Leader Prasong, currently a leading member of the new military-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA), was National Security Council secretary-general when Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda was prime minister, and served as foreign minister in the reign of the government led by Chuan Leekpai.

Squadron Leader Prasong has been long critical of deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was also among several key figures allied with those behind the anti-Thaksin movements that eventually led to the September 19, 2006 coup toppling the Thaksin government.

When asked about the rumours of being approached to serve as deputy prime minister, Squadron Leader Prasong declined to comment, saying that reporters should ask the government.

However, when asked if he would accept the post if the government insisted it needed his help, he said, "We're all Thais. When the nation has problems, we must help each other."

--TNA 2007-01-10