Of 1,214 respondents to an Abac Poll conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, 76 per cent said they were confident the new Cabinet members would have a favourable image.

Only 18 per cent of the respondents said they had little hope for the new government, while 7 per cent had no idea.

Even though the public was generally looking forward to an upstanding Surayud cabinet, more than 40 per cent of the respondents were wary of behind-the-scenes lobbying by figures wanting to snare a plum portfolio.

Almost 40 per cent dismissed the likelihood of people jostling to get appointed.

When asked if they thought some of the Cabinet members might turn out not to be acceptable, more than 64 per cent of the respondents said they might be disappointed, while 36 per cent said they were unconcerned.

ARMED FORCES: Sonthi thanks troops

Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday thanked his subordinates for the peaceful seizure of power on September 19, which had boosted the public confidence in the armed forces, he said.

"The unity and sacrifice of every soldier led to the smooth transition of power, strengthening the people's trust in the military," Army spokesman Colonel Akra Thiproj said, quoting Sonthi.

Akra said Sonthi also congratulated his soldiers on their promotions, as per the Royal command for the new military line-up that came into effect on Monday.

He said the Army would strive to foster closer contacts with the people via their local governments next year, and it would take a lead role in relief operations for victims of natural calamities, such as seasonal flooding.

Meanwhile, the Army released a list of 75 special colonels elevated to key combat positions. The promotions are seen as a reward for officers involved in the coup. Many key regimental commanders became deputy division commanders, lining up for elevation to two-star general.

POLITICS : Pinij's faction undecided

The Thai Rak Thai Party's former deputy leader Pinij Charusombat yesterday "clarified" his previous stand, saying that he intended to resign from its executive board and not from the party, according to the party registrar.

Saman Lertwongrat, the TRT registrar, said that Pinij had called him before dawn yesterday to say that he needed to clarify about his resignation. Pinij told him he wanted to remain with the TRT until it was clear who would become the new party leader, in place of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Forty members of the faction had previously submitted their resignations from the party. But Pinij convinced the party's registrar to hold those resignations back.

Ekaphap Pholsue, a key member of the faction, said the 40 members would remain in the party no matter what became of it.