"Following the announcement of the new Cabinet line-up on Wednesday, I think it is a good opportunity to re-set priorities in order to boost public confidence," he said.

Abhisit said the new ministers were well qualified for their jobs, although the government might have to fine-tune its working style in order to regain trust.

The government should be more responsive to people's grievances and would have to shore up its popularity before the eroding confidence in it led to further political instability, he said.

Democrat Party chief adviser Banyat Bantadtan called on Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to adjust his leadership style to keep pace with changes in the political landscape.

"It is not enough just to strictly follow the rules when opponents keep creating new moves. I think it is very dangerous to be on the defensive all the time," he said in a statement posted on his party's website.

He said Surayud had made the right choice in naming Chalongphob Sussangkarn as finance minister and should quickly take advantage of the political momentum gained from the Cabinet reshuffle to improve business confidence.

To rejuvenate his government, Surayud should undertake several measures, he suggested.

These included pinpointing the causes of sagging popularity and rectifying them; giving every minister a clear understanding of their tasks; speeding up political reform; make a concerted effort in the fight against corruption; and counter rumours promptly.