New Cabinet line-up nearly completed

The Cabinet line-up for the coalition government led by the People Power Party is close to being finalised, a PPP source said yesterday.

The source said the tentative line-up saw Samak Sundaravej taking the post of prime minister. However, it was undecided if he would also become defence minister or leave this position to General Ruangroj Mahasaranont.

The list, the source said, had Surapong Suebwonglee as finance minister; Somchai Wongsawat as deputy prime minister and justice minister; Mingkwan Sangsuwan as deputy PM and commerce minister; Noppadon Pattama as education minister; Chalerm Yoobamrung as interior minister; and Wiroon Techapaiboon as deputy finance minister.

Srisook Chandarangsu or Santi Prompat were the likely choices for transport minister. Srisook is close to former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreungkit, while Santi is close to Thaksin's aide Pongsak Raktapongpaisal.

Among the other coalition parties, Chart Thai would get five Cabinet posts. They include Sanan Kachornprasart as deputy PM; Somsak Prissanananthakul as tourism and sports minister; Prapat Phothasuthon as agriculture minister and Weerasak Kowsurat as deputy education minister.

The Puea Pandin Party would see its leader Suwit Khunkitti become a deputy PM and information and communications technology minister; Vachara Phannachet as industry minister; and Jirayu Wasurat as deputy finance minister. The party also gets a quota for the deputy interior minister, but it was not confirmed who would get this position.

The Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party is confirmed as getting two posts. Pradit Pataraprasit will be a PM's Office Minister while a member of the faction of Suwat Liptapanlop would become energy minister.

The Matchima Thipataya Party would get two positions. Its secretary-general Anong Thepsuthin would be labour minister. Banyin Tangpaporn would be either deputy interior minister or deputy agriculture minister.

The Pracharaj Party would get one ministerial post, with Uraiwan Thienthong as social development and human security minister or deputy interior minister.

Some of the coalition parties reportedly asked for the posts of chairmen of state-run enterprises including PTT, AOT or TOT. They regarded the posts as compensation for ministerial posts not allocated to them.

The Nation