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Politics
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2006-09-26 21:23:59-04
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Ex-WTO chief Supachai may become new Thai PM
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Bangkok, Sept 26(ANI): Thailand's ruling Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy has named Supachai Panitchpakdi as interim prime minister, The Nation reported. The newspaper said that Supachai, who is now the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has tentatively accepted invitation to lead an interim government. Appointing Supachai, who also served as deputy prime minister as well as secretary-general of the World Trade Organization will bolster the regional and international credibility of the interim government. Supachai started his career at the Bank of Thailand in the 1970s and joined the government in 1986, becoming deputy minister of finance. When parliament was dissolved in 1988 he left politics and became president of the Thai Military Bank. From 1992 to 1995 Supachai served as deputy prime minister, a role he resumed in 1997 in the wake of the Asian economic crisis. Supachai, who holds a doctorate in economic planning and development, is well-known in academic, business and government circles and will bring a familiar face to the interim Thai government. This will reassure investors and neighboring governments who are already familiar with Supachai, his views and his style.
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