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Politics
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2006-10-08 22:33:25-04
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Thailand's interim PM announces 26-member cabinet
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Bangkok, Oct 9: Thailand's army-installed premier today unveiled his post-coup cabinet, with few roles given to the military and key posts handed to prominent bureaucrats, academics and bankers. The unveiling of a cabinet paved the way for Thailand's return to normalcy following the bloodless coup that last month toppled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Of the 26 new cabinet members, only two are retired or serving military officers besides the premier, who is a former army chief. Mr Surayud, 63, who kicked off his term by saying he would focus on people's happiness over economic growth, chose Bank of Thailand governor Pridiyathorn Devakula as finance minister. Pridiyathorn, who became central bank governor in May 2001, managed to rein in inflation by quadrupling borrowing costs since 2004. Investors are watching for the initiatives the government will take to spur growth in Thailand's economy, which may expand 4.2 percent this year, its slowest pace since 2001. Nitya Pibulsonggram, a 65-year-old former ambassador to the US, was named foreign minister. He had earlier served as chief negotiator in free trade talks between Thailand and the US, the kingdom's biggest trading partner, before talks stalled due to Thailand's ongoing political turmoil. Boonrawd Somtas, a retired general and former classmate of Surayud, also joined the cabinet as defence minister. Mr Boonrawd was appointed chief of staff in October 2000, before retiring in 2002 at the age 60. Mr Surayud recruited Piyasvasti Amranand as energy minister despite opposition from consumer protection groups, who object to his previous efforts to privatize the nation's biggest utility, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. Krirk-Krai Jirapaet, an outspoken bureaucrat at the commerce ministry, was given the ministry's top job, while Muslim bureaucrat Aree Wongariya became interior minister in charge of domestic security.
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