Chalongphob, 59, earned bachelor's and doctoral degrees in economics from Cambridge University. He was a World Bank economist and an economics lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley.

   He was named an economic adviser to the Surayud Chulanont government but wielded hardly any influence on decisions while Pridiyathorn was at the helm of the economic team. Also, the TDRI's views frequently ran counter to government policies.

Dr Morakot Kornkasem, the new deputy public health minister, is also the head of the Rural Doctors' Foundation.

   Morakot, 73, he has been Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla's right-hand man ever since Mongkol was the ministry's permanent secretary.

   As Food and Drug Administration secretary-general, Morakot stood steadfast against corruption in the ministry until he was ordered out. After protests against that order, it was rescinded.

Dr Poldej Pinpratheep is the new deputy minister of social development and human security. Previously serving as secretary to the minister for social development and human security, he is equally well known as both a non-governmental-organisation activist on local development and a doctor who works with the locals.

   Poldej, 51, was a hospital director in Phitsa-nulok, where he performed outstanding work in HIV/Aids prevention in the province. He has served as secretary-general of the Local Development Foundation since being invited to take up the position by renowned social critic Prawase Wasi, who founded it in order to create local networks in remote areas. Poldej was an assistant to the director of the Village Fund Office and a committee member of about 20 organisations, including the National Command Centre for Combating Drugs.