Varakorn is the rector of Dhurakij Pundit University and was a former rector of Thammasat University.

Oranuj is a former director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade and the Department of Export Promotion. She has also been an adviser to the commerce minister since last year.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday said the ministers had chosen their deputies themselves and the appointments were due to the "serious workloads" at both ministries.

The new deputy ministers should be able to work effectively as they are well-experienced, he said.

The new appointees' oath-taking ceremony before His Majesty the King is scheduled for 4pm on Monday, according to a Government House source.

Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an yesterday said he planned to let Varakorn help analyse and solve the teachers' debt problems, as well as work on policies at the Office of the Education Council.

Varakorn was a "good economist" and experienced in administrative work as a rector of both private and government universities. He therefore has a good understanding of education both in the private and government sectors, Wijit said.

Varakorn was also experienced in political work as he was a deputy secretary-general to then prime minister Chuan Leekpai and should be able to cooperate with the legislative branch, Wijit added.

Varakorn said he accepted the post immediately when he was contacted by Wijit. As a former Thammasat University scholarship student, he wanted to contribute to the country.

He said he had resigned from all other positions he had been holding, including the university rectorship and his appointment to the Constitution Drafting Assembly.