Samak II changes get royal okay

Among these are former police commissioner Ko-wit Wattana. He will be the new interior minister and a deputy PM.

Chaiya Sasomsap is back in as commerce minister and House Deputy Spea-ker Somsak Kiartsuranont takes over at culture.

Chaiya quit as public-health minister a short while ago after improperly declaring his wife's wealth. Somsak will be replaced as deputy speaker by a coalition MP.

Kowit clean

Despite a Criminal Court suspended sentence against Kowit, the Cabinet secretariat confirms there's no legal impediment to his taking office.

Five members of the previous Cabinet lost their seats.

Chalerm Yoobamrung, interior, Puea Pandin Party leader Suwit Khunkitti, a deputy PM and industry minister and his colleagues Ranongrak Su-wanchawee, deputy |finance minister, and Sithi-chai Kowsurat, deputy interior, are out. Wiroon Techapaiboon, deputy commerce, is gone, too.

Suwit recently announced his party's pullout from the coalition. His MPs overturned that statement and four have kept their positions.