Chidchai dismissed the reports and said caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wanted him just to be involved generally in the reshuffle.

"He only gave me guidelines and certain criteria needed to work out a transfer list," he said.

Chidchai, who supervises the Interior Ministry, said caretaker minister Kongsak Vantana, a non-political appointee, had no conflicts with his two deputies - Sermsak Pongpanit and Somchai Sunthornvut, both Thai Rak Thai MPs. "I see no conflicts ... between them. I see they talk all the time," he said. Kongsak said the reshuffle and the appointment of a permanent secretary to succeed Sujarit Pajchim-anant, who is retiring, would be completed by September 30.

He said the list was expected to be approved by the Election Commission's new members: a pre-condition for appointments or transfers of C-10 and C-11 officials when a caretaker government was running the country.

Meanwhile caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said the names of the officials to succeed Basic Education Commission Office secretary-general Phornipha Limpaphayom and Higher Education commissioner Phawit Thongroj would be submitted to the Cabinet on Tuesday for its initial approval.

Chaturon said he expected the new EC to approve his transfer list.