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Published on September 29, 2007

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont expects one or two more members of his Cabinet to depart following the earlier resignations of three colleagues, a Government House source said yesterday.

"I understand the situation. And I will try to solve the problem when I get back. There could be one or two more Cabinet members resigning," the source quoted the PM as saying.

Surayud had called his outgoing ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom from New York to talk about his imminent departure from the Cabinet, the source said. The premier preferred to discuss the resignations by phone, instead of meeting them as previously planned.

The two outgoing Cabinet members are Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya and Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osatananda.

Two other Cabinet members are in the hot seat. Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an is accused by a National Counter Corruption Commission official of conflict of interest, and PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan is being investigated by the Assets Examination Committee over a questionable policy decision when she was permanent secretary at the ICT Ministry.

Deputy Premier and Social Development Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattana-siritham said yesterday that he had talked to Surayud about the Cabinet reshuffle and the PM told him he would make a decision next week.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said retiring Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin would "definitely" become deputy PM in charge of security affairs, but that it was unclear if he would also hold another Cabinet post.

Surayud gave a press interview in New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly, saying he would not step down and did not feel he is being pressured to quit.

He said he had never joked about resigning and would lead the government to its destination - to hold the general election on schedule. "I also spoke to the UN meeting about my intention to stay on and restore faith and credibility in Thailand."

Surayud said of the ministers who had resigned: "When they accepted the ministerial posts they were not politicians. It was a sudden incident. They had also held shares over a long time."

The Nation