suchart throws hat in ring

Piyanart Srivalo

the nation

Suchart Thadadamrongvej yesterday declared he is ready to serve as finance minister in the new Cabinet and work towards restoring confidence in Thailand.

Suchart, who took over as head of the Puea Thai Party yesterday, said his appointment as finance minister, however, depends on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

"I am ready to become finance minister. My first priority is to restore confidence in the Thai economy," he said.

Dr Olarn Chaipravat is also being seen as a front runner for the finance berth as the Somchai Cabinet is desperate for a capable person with a strong image, to help improve economic management, sources said.

Last night politicians were jockeying for Cabinet positions and negotiating hard.

Sources said Olarn, a well-known economist, might become a deputy prime minister and also finance minister.

But Suchart Tadatamrongvej, who has become head of the Puea Thai Party and is now an acting deputy finance minister, is also in a strong position.

He might assume the finance portfolio himself. He is being groomed for big-time politics. In that case, Olarn might only become a deputy prime minister.

Outsiders have been approached for finance because this portfolio is important in keeping the economy going in difficult times. Most have rejected the offer.

A Cabinet line-up is almost complete, but the Puea Pandin Party is still having problems dividing the cake among its members.

The Puea Pandin has been told to come up with a list of Cabinet demands by 10am today.

PM Somchai is likely to

hold the defence portfolio. Noppadon Pattama, the former foreign minister, will become secretary to the prime minister. Noppadon wants education, but the People Power Party is afraid his links to the Preah Vihear controversy might become a political problem if he was in the Cabinet.

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will become a deputy prime minister and possibly foreign minister, too.

Sources said Sompong Amornwiwat might become interior minister. This important portfolio must be held by the People Power Party and not an outsider. The previous interior minister was Kowit Watana.

But others indicated the two might retain their former posts of justice and interior, respectively.

Sukhumpong Ngonkam, the deputy secretary-general of the People Power, will get the Prime Minister's Office, in charge of government news media.

He was a potential candidate in the Samak Cabinet, but he was ruled out at the last minute.

The Puea Pandin will get five Cabinet places, but only four ministers. Suwit Khunkitti will make a comeback as a deputy prime minister and industry minister, while Mun Pattanothai will serve as information and communications minister.

The party's chances of getting a deputy finance minister's post and deputy interior are being negotiated.