Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont hinted he might reassign Thirapat, who has overseen the government's public relations and media management.

"Yes, it is in the process," Surayud said, answering a question whether Thirapat might be shifted to a new responsibility following criticism by former finance minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula. Pridiya-thorn, who quit on March 1, suggested Thirapat was unduly influence by a certain media group.

Thirapat's reassignment, if it occurs, is expected to be revealed with the order of jobs for the new Cabinet line-up announced on Wednesday.

Newly-appointed Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussang-karn was sworn into office yesterday evening during a royal audience. He was one of four changes to Surayud's Cabinet. The job order for the new ministers is likely to be released today.

Pridiyathorn made a veiled attack on Thirapat when announcing his resignation, accusing him of making a legally questionable decision when he allowed state-run Channel 11 to co-broadcast media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul's talk show. The show's primary broadcaster is ASTV, a satellite-TV station operating without a licence and Sondhi's Manager Media Group had been highly critical of Pridiyathorn's economic policies.

Thirapat indicated yesterday he was in the dark about any looming change. He said that he would not react to or rebut any comments by Pridiyathorn, whom he has had close ties with for more than two decades.

"I really don't know because Pridiyathorn did not mention my name [in his remarks]," he said, in his first remarks about the affair.

In commenting on his decision to allow Sondhi's talk show to run on Channel 11, Thirapat insisted he had acted within legal limits.

He said the show was taken off the programming at Channel 11 last month because of a unilateral decision by its producer -not public pressure.

"Based on an unofficial survey of audience response, the number of supporting viewers outnumbered opponents by 50 per cent," he said. Even though his critics said the talk show incited social divisions, he said he viewed it as an informative programme.