Thai King Endorses Appointment Of New Ministers

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Thai king endorses appointment of new ministers

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has endorsed the appointments of three new ministers to the interim government in a royal command officially announced Saturday.

Signed Friday by the monarch, the royal command approved the appointments proposed by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. The three new ministers in the 32-portfolio cabinet are Dr. Wallop Thainua, who has been appointed as Deputy Public Health Minister, Pol. Lt-Gen. Theerawut Butrsriphoum, Deputy Interior Minister, and Dr. Nat Indrapana, Deputy Tourism and Sports Minister.

Prime Minister Surayud is scheduled to bring the new ministers to have an audience with His Majesty the King on May 8.

The prime minister earlier assured the public that his government's performance would improve, given more members to his cabinet. Gen. Surayud said he would lead all his ministers, including the new

appointees, in official visits to meet the people in the provinces more often than before.

Whereas some portfolios were in need of additional ministerial personnel to achieve their respective missions, some ministers had been personally prompted to work harder, Gen. Surayud said.

The prime minister also said that the government's six-month achievements will be announced early May.

A recent opinion poll shows the popularity of the interim government is continuing to decline after six months in power following the September 19 coup toppling the elected government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Tackling the continuing violence in the insurgency-ravaged far south received lowest marks among others -- including the building of national reconciliation and efforts to upgrade public safety following the New Year's Eve bombings in the capital and neighbouring Nonthaburi province which killed three people and injured about 40 others, including nine foreigners.

--TNA 2007-04-28