Krirk-krai is expected to join the new government's economic team, which now seems certain to consist of technocrats who believe in export-led growth and a sustainable economy.

He refused to disclose which ministry he would go to, saying simply, "It's up to phuyai (senior persons) to decide."

However, it is widely believed he will take the helm at the Commerce Ministry.

Sources said he was nominated by Bank of Thailand governor MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, who also floated the name of Kasikorn Asset Management Co Ltd chairman Piyasvasti Amranand as a candidate for interim energy minister. It is now widely accepted that Pridiyathorn will become an interim deputy prime minister and interim finance minister, heading up the economic team.

Industry Ministry permanent secretary Chakramon Phasukavanich is tipped to become interim industry minister, although he has thus far refused to confirm his nomination.

The likely appointments appear to confirm the new government's intention to get things done within one year by appointing respectable former civil servants to cut short the start-up period.

Bangkok Bank executive chairman Kosit Panpiemras is likely to become an interim deputy prime minister to ensure the shift of economic priority.

Interim PM Surayud said earlier the new government should aim at achieving a sufficiency economy, income distribution and public happiness, a departure from ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's policies of populism and inflating economic growth.

Kosit, former secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), joined Bangkok Bank to promote agriculture-related small and medium-sized enterprises through a private organisation. He was earlier sceptical of the "dual-track" economy, fearing it might lead to high household debts. He also criticised the NESDB for ignoring productivity and sustainable growth in its economic guidelines.

Pridiyathorn realises the Thai economy depends on foreign capital but prefers stability over unsustainable growth. This is reflected in his policy of maintaining high foreign-exchange reserves. Moreover, he does not want to see fully blown financial liberalisation. As the central bank's governor, he has insisted many times that the government should not rush to open up its financial sector if it was not ready.

Krirk-krai, who for the first time confirmed his possible entry to the government, is a like-minded technocrat. He is known to have been a straightforward civil servant who refused to succumb to political intervention, and this brought him trouble during the final months of his civil-service career.

Moreover, Krirk-krai is a shrewd trade negotiator, a much-needed quality now that Thailand is engaged in a series of trade talks.

Businessmen said they would welcome Krirk-krai back to the ministry.

Thai Garment Manufacturers' Association president Dej Pathanasethpong said Krirk-krai would be a good link between private Thai businessmen and foreigners and thus help boost trade and investment. He said he would like to see the new commerce minister help small and medium-sized Thai enterprises compete with multinational ones in the world market.

Federation of Thai Industries vice chairman Nipon Surapongrakcharoen said a new minister needed to be strong and aggressive, in order to push through key policies in the one-year time frame.

Apichart Chansakulporn, president of one of Thailand's biggest rice exporters, President Agri Trading, said that Krirk-krai was respected by businessmen. "We would be satisfied if the new minister had a high potential to drive the Kingdom's economic growth," he said.

Meanwhile, a Tourism and Sports Ministry source said seven candidates were queuing for the minister's post. They are the former governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand Santipap Techavanich; former deputy director-general of the Prime Minister's Office ML Panasarn Hasdin; former director-general of the Interior Ministry Chanasak Yuwaboon; former Army commander General Vichit Yathip; director-general of the Tourism and Sports Ministry Sakthip Krairiksh; former vice minister of the Interior Ministry and president of the Olympic Committee of Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha; and former director of MCOT Plc and board member of Tourism Authority of Thailand Mingkwan Sangsuwan.

The source said Sakthip was probably the most suitable for the post, because only one year remained before his retirement, and he had two years' experience in the tourism industry.

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