Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont decided yesterday against having a new deputy premier for security - a position actively favoured by Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Surayud said he was convinced the CNS should have total control over security.

Sonthi said he had no objection if Surayud wanted to appoint a deputy minister for security.

"I don't think Surayud wants to name his deputy, because he once told me to take care of security affairs," Sonthi said.

The CNS chief said he would be happy if a qualified military officer took the role but that he himself would not accept the position. He said he was content with his job and had no ambition to join the government.

Surayud yesterday unveiled his plans for a new Cabinet shake-up, saying it was designed to speed up work for the second half of the year. He said the current ministers would remain, with new appointees included.

"Some ministries have a heavy workload with broad responsibilities, so it's necessary to appoint additional ministers to streamline the work," he said.

Surayud spoke after chairing a closed-door meeting with his Cabinet to discuss the reshuffle. He reportedly asked ministers to speed up their work and coordinate more closely with the junta and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

"My ministers and I have reached an agreement for enlarging the Cabinet, but the details will be revealed following royal endorsement of the new ministers," he said, evading a question on the timetable for the reshuffle.

He said he had yet to decide whether to fill all 36 seats in the Cabinet or bring in a limited number of new ministers.

He said he expected having new ministers would speed up policy implementation.

"Whether the new Cabinet line-up will meet public expectations will be for the people to decide themselves," he said, dismissing claims he was trying to boost his popularity.

He said the government wanted to complete its mission for the transition period by restoring democratic rule and that his administration was not obliged to bow to public sentiment like elected predecessors.

"The government is expected

to take a more proactive stand for its remaining term, in order to complete its job on time, and I hope to inform the people of

its accomplishments via my midterm report early next month," he said.

In regard to speculation that CNS secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul had struck a deal

with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Sonthi yesterday said Winai had not strayed from the CNS.

Winai took an official trip abroad but did not meet with Thaksin, he said.

"I don't believe the speculation, because it's impossible, due to the unity of the CNS - don't listen to rumours," he said.

He said the rumours probably came from the junta's opponents, who might have spotted Winai visiting London and tried to link him to Thaksin.

After the PM announced his Cabinet-reshuffle plan, he met with Sonthi, Winai and Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas at Government House for about two hours.

A source said the meeting could have been about the shake-up in regard to a new position on security affairs. A possible compromise could be the appointment of a deputy defence minister, the source said.

Among the new appointees would be deputy ministers for defence, interior and agriculture, said the source.

A source privy to yesterday's Cabinet meeting said Surayud had sought and received approval from his ministers for new ministers.

"Each minister gave the prime minister a free rein to name newcomers," the source said.

The source said Surayud also asked his ministers to work at a faster pace and improve coordination with the CNS and the NLA, the better to get their work done.

"From now on, Surayud may hold a closed-door meeting ahead of each weekly Cabinet meeting, in order to check on work progress, and will invite the CNS to attend some joint sessions with the Cabinet," the source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras and PM's Office Minister Prasith Kowilaikul were asked to work closer with lawmakers, in order to speed up the legislative process, he said.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation