Former AEC chief Nam may become govt adviser

Nam said he was contacted by Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga about the post last week. As long as he was still strong enough to contribute to the country, he would not hesitate to accept any post. Nam is 72 years old.

However, reports of Nam accepting the position have raised suspicions on whether the job was a reward for a person taking a key post against ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra and governments linked to him.

The 2006 coup-makers set up the AEC to scrutinise deals undertaken by Thaksin's governments.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is secretary-general of the Democrat Party and the so-called government manager, said he was not involved in Nam's appointment.

Suthep said secretaries and assistants to ministers must be listed in the party's quota first. The lists must be drafted and discussed among ministers before being presented to the prime minister, he said.

"The prime minister had assigned me to manage that. I planned to do it next week. I am sorry for criticism against Nam. But I did not leak any news about this as I've never thought about Nam's name," he said.

The lists for these positions were expected to be ready by January 12-14, he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had not acknowledged the appointment. He said only few political positions besides the ministers had been agreed on. No secretaries or assistants to ministers had been appointed yet.

The government would listen to related parties and consider people systematically and would not make political deals, he said. Any appointments needed Cabinet approval.

The appointment of people depended on their ability. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was experienced in diplomatic fields and was an ambassador to many major countries. He also has knowledge in economic fields. Appointing him was not a reward for any role in the People's Alliance for Democracy movements (against the former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and the People Power government).