Interim Premier Still No Closer

[george]

Interim premier still no closer

BANGKOK: -- Prominent names of prime minister candidates have come around in a full circle, but it still appears that the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) cannot decide who will finally be picked for the country's top job.

"The people who we would like to take the job are not interested in the offer; those who we don't want to take the job are interested in it," a political source close to the CDRM said yesterday.

Supachai Panitchpakdi, director-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, remains on the list. A political source said Prasong Soonsiri, who is one of the political masterminds behind the downfall of Thaksin, had been assigned to get in touch with Supachai to discuss the matter with him.

Supachai was invited as a guest to the annual meeting of the Cairns Group of 18 agricultural-exporting countries in Australia, which wrapped up three days of talks yesterday.

The name of Ackaratorn Chularat, president of the Supreme Administrative Court, has been floated from the outset but he said he had not yet been approached by the CDRM.

"Right now there is a process to search for candidates. I don't know who has said that I'm suitable for the job. You have to ask the person who has said so. My name got out on September 21. I have also called to ask why my name is on the list. Now it appears that there are several suitable people," Ackaratorn said.

His chances appear to be boosted by a comment from ACC Chalit Pukphasuk, deputy head of the CDRM, who said aspirants for the interim premiership must have a strong background in public law in order to preside over legal and constitutional reform.

However, political sources point out that Ackaratorn might not get picked because he was soft on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He failed to take up a case when Thaksin was accused of forfeiting his premier's status after announcing he was taking a break from office shortly after the April 2 election.

MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, the Bank of Thailand governor, has also been mentioned but he may have to settle for a lesser post as the head of the economic team or finance minister because he is seen as being too independent.

Pridiyathorn insisted that he had not yet received any contact about filling the premier's seat, saying only that the CDRM asked him for a meeting on Wednesday to brief the members about the economic situation.

"I don't know about any approach or offer. You're just making things up. My wife has told me that I should think about it only when it really comes," he said.

The name of Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont has also been bandied around. But it is not known whether he will be an eventual candidate.

The interim premiership post is of crucial importance during this transition phase, which might last more than one year.

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who staged a successful coup to topple the Thaksin government on Tuesday, has promised to have an interim government formed within two weeks.

At this point, Meechai Ruchuphan, the legal expert, is presiding over the drafting of an interim constitution before a new prime minister and Cabinet can be announced.

--The Nation 2006-09-23

[sbk]

"The people who we would like to take the job are not interested in the offer; those who we don't want to take the job are interested in it," a political source close to the CDRM said yesterday.

Boy, isn't this the problem with politics in every country?

[a2]

Update..

Chatumongol tipped as PM

Seen as knowledgeable about economic issues

Former central bank governor Chatumongol Sonakul is tipped to be named interim prime minister although the vice-president of the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) has expressed preference for a lawyer. Highly-placed sources said M.R. Chatumongol was deemed one of the best-qualified for the job because he is knowledgeable about economic issues, is seen to be capable of handling them, and enjoys recognition in the world community....

Bangkok Post 23 Sept. 2006

[george]

Update:

Thailand's military rulers meet to consider new PM

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's new military rulers were meeting Saturday to consider a new civilian premier after Tuesday's bloodless coup deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Officials said the junta leaders were gathering in the capital Bangkok to discuss the "day-to-day" running of the country after tightening their grip on the country that has remained calm in the coup's aftermath.

"I cannot comment on the issue of who will be named new prime minister or when he would be named until the searching has been finalised," junta spokesman Lieutenant General Palangoon Klaharn told AFP.

The junta has promised to appoint a new civilian government within two weeks of the takeover and to draft a new constitution clearing the way for elections in October 2007.

Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, one of the coup leaders, said Friday that more than five people were under consideration and a premier would be named" soon" without giving any time frame or names.

Among those reportedly considered for the post are Supachai Panitchpakdi, former head of the World Trade Organization and chairman of the UN Conference on Trade and Development.

Other names include the president of the Supreme Court, one of the king's top advisers, and the governor of the Bank of Thailand.

--The Nation 2006-09-23

[a2]

Update

THAKSIN'S SUCCESSOR

Charnchai ahead in race to be interim premier

'Competent, flexible' Supreme Court president heads list, ex-WTO chief Supachai also among the favourites

Supreme Court president Charnchai Likhit-jittha and former World Trade Organisation chief Supachai Panitchpakdi yesterday emerged as the two leading choices for the post of interim prime minister.

Both are understood to be at the top of the four-man short list prepared by the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) for submission to His Majesty the King next Wednesday.

The other two likely choices are Ackaratorn Chularat, president of Supreme Administrative Court, and MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, governor of the Bank of Thailand.

CDRM sources said Charnchai, the Supreme Court president, was slated as the favourite due to his competence and flexibility.

"His spirit of compromise is suitable for the country's top leadership at this juncture," said a top CDRM official, who asked not to be named.

The CDRM, which overthrew the Thaksin Shinawatra government last Tuesday, held a meeting that lasted three hours to discuss possible candidates to replace Thaksin.

The CDRM earlier said it would appoint an interim premier within two weeks.

CDRM sources said they were still trying to persuade Supachai, the former director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to take up the premiership.

Supachai is now the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Develop-ment (Unctad).

"So far, the talks have not progressed," the CDRM source said, adding that Supachai was reluctant to leave the top UN agency since he still had more than a year to go in his term.

Supachai could also be perceived as being "close" to the former opposition Democrat Party, even though he has been representing Thailand abroad for many years, the source said.

Supachai, who was the WTO chief until last year, is the most internationally recognised figure on the CDRM short list.

General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the Army chief and leader of the CDRM, declined to be specific as to who would be appointed as the new interim prime minister.

Sonthi would only say the CDRM was considering its choices.

"But I can say the CDRM's initial task [of appointing the premier and handing over the country's administration] will be accomplished within two weeks, as announced earlier," he said.

Admiral Satirapan Keyanon, the Navy chief and deputy leader of the CDRM, said the interim premier had to be impartial and ready to sacrifice by working hard to return Thailand to normal.

He also declined to disclose any names.

The CDRM earlier said the interim premier would have about a year to draft a new constitution and call a general election.

Sources said candidates for other top posts in the interim government included Wissanu Krea-ngam as deputy premier for legal affairs, Dej Bunnag or Asda Chayanam for foreign affairs and Piyasvasti Amranand or Sophon Suphapong for the Energy Ministry.

Others include central-bank chief Pridiyathorn for finance, Meechai Ruchupan as chairman of the advisory council on drafting the charter and Borwornsak Uwanno for Cabinet secretary-general.

For defence, the two top candidates are General Oud Buangbon and General Wichit Ya-thip. General Panthep Puwanartnurak is tipped for interior.

Another CDRM source said the most important task of the interim government was to draft the new charter to replace the 1997 one abrogated by the military.

"Many people have been calling for constitutional amendments to address worsening corruption, because there was widespread graft in the previous government. Conflicts of interest and favouritism abounded.

"We also intend to restore peace and order and wipe out disunity among the citizenry as well as resolve the unrest in the southernmost provinces more effectively," he said.

Sophon Suphapong, a former Bangkok senator, said the CDRM would have to ensure that the new interim premier and his Cabinet had an outstanding record of integrity.

"We had no economic crisis before, but we faced a serious leadership crisis, because the top leader was unethical," he said.

"The CDRM has to make sure that no persons with close links to the former Thaksin regime are named to the new Cabinet. I think new ministers should be familiar with HM the King's initiatives on economic self-sufficiency," he added.

- The Nation 24 Sept. 2006