King Endorses New Cabinet

[george]

King endorses new cabinet; Opposition abandons hope for new administration

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Wednesday gave royal approval to new cabinet under Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

The new cabinet ministers -- most of whom were ministers in the outgoing administration of Samak Sundaravej -- will have an audience with the king for an oath-taking ceremony on Thursday evening at his palace in Hua Hin district before officially undertaking their new duties.

The 61-year-old prime minister, royally appointed Thailand's 26th prime minister last Thursday, will concurrently hold the defence minister's portfolio in the new cabinet.

Surprisingly, former prime minister Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was appointed deputy prime minister along with Chavarat Charnvirakul, retired Maj-Gen. Sanan Kajornprasart, former banker Olarn Chaipravat, and Sompong Amornwiwat who will also be foreign minister.

Mr. Sompong, justice minister in the outgoing administration, faces an uphill task holding the foreign ministerial portfolio because he lacks international relations experience, and is asked to resolve Thailand's border problem with neighbouring Cambodia and chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) until the end of 2009.

Suchart Thadadamrongwej was elevated from deputy finance minister to minister, with Pradit Pataraprasit as his deputy, retaining his post. Another deputy finance minister is Ranongrak Suwanchawee.

Chaiya Sasomsup retained his commerce ministry portfolio as did Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana who was able to cling to the interior ministerial portfolio but lost his deputy prime minister post in the new cabinet.

Another surprise -- considered unwelcome by some -- sprang up in the new administration when former interior minister Chalerm Yoobamrung returned as public health minister. The outspoken politician with no knowledge of medical affairs is known to be a close ally of ousted, fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now seeking political asylum in Britain.

Former national police chief Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnok was appointed industry minister.

The new cabinet received lukewarm response from opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva soon after it was announced on television and radio stations.

Mr. Abhisit said there were hardly any new faces in the new administration and it would be difficult for it to gain confidence from the public which is looking to solutions for the country's prevailing problems.

"Many of the ministers were criticised earlier and they're still in this cabinet," said Mr. Abhisit, adding that earlier criticisms that the cabinet would be formed by those engaged in politics and efficient persons would be left out.

The new cabinet should not think of a honeymoon period because the country is already facing a palatte of problems including floods in widespread parts of the country, political turmoil and economic problems, said Mr. Abhisit.

"Hopes for improvements by the prime minister are misplaced," said Mr. Abhisit, sarcastically. "It's not going to happen,"

-- TNA 2008-09-24

[george]

New Cabinet to be sworn in Thursday: Yaowapha

BANGKOK: -- Yaowapha Wongsawat, the wife of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, said Wednesday that members of the new Cabinet will be granted an audience with His Majesty the King on Thursday to be sworn in.

She said the Cabinet members will have a group photo at the Don Muang military airport.

-- The Nation 2008-09-24

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Official Cabinet line-up

Following is the offiical list of members of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's Cabinet.

Prime Minister and Defence Minister:

Somchai Wongsawat

Deputy Prime Ministers:

Olarn Chaipravat

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh

Chaovarat Chanweerakul

Sanan Kachornprasart

Sompong Amornwiwat (also Foreign Minister)

PM's Office Ministers

Sukhumpong Ngonkham

Supon Fongngam

Finance Minister

Suchart Thadathamrongvech

Deputy Finance Ministers

Pradit Pataraprasit

Ranongrak Suwanchawee

Transport Minister

Santi Prompat

Deputy Transport Ministers

Sophon Salum

Varawut Silapa-archa

Interior Minister

Kowit Watana

Deputy Interior Ministers

Prasong Kositanon

Preecha Rengsomboonsuk

Commerce Minister

Chaiya Sasomsap

Deputy Commerce Minister

Banyin Tangpakorn

Songkram Kijlertpairote

Industry Minister

Pracha Promnok

Energy Minister

Wannarat Charnnukul

Agriculture Minister

Somsak Prissanananthakul

Deputy Agriculture Ministers

Sompat Kaewpijit

Theerachai Saenkaew

Public Health Minister

Chalerm Yoobamrung

Deputy Health Minister

Wicharn Meenchainant

Education Minister

Srimuang Chareonsiri

Justice Minister

Somsak KIartsuranont

Social Development and Human Security Minister

Udomdet Rattanasathien

Natural Resources and Environment Minister

Anongwan ThepsuthIn

Information and Communications Technology Minister

Mun Patanotai

Science Minister

Wutthipong Chaisang

Labour Minister

Uraiwan Thienthong

Culture Minister

Worawat Uaapinyakul

Tourism and Sports Minister

Weerasak Kowsurat

-- The Nation 2008-09-24