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Thai PM Hands in Cabinet List for Qualification Checks
Newly-appointed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra handed in a cabinet list to Secretary to the Cabinet Wissanu Krua-ngam for qualification checks on Monday morning, the Thai New Agency (TNA) reported.
Wissanu was quoted as saying that the thorough examination of qualifications of all nominees in the list would take about two days.
If there is nothing wrong, the process can be concluded in two days, and the cabinet list can be submitted for His Majesty the King's approval by February 17, he stated.
But if any problem is found, even for a candidate, the process will be delayed, he added.
It is now highly likely that Somkid Chatuseepitak, Economic Advisor of the Thai Rak Thai Party, will take the job of new finance minister, while Adisai Potharamik will be commerce minister, Chaovalit Yongchaiyuth, New Aspiration Party's leader, will be a deputy prime minister and defense minister, former parliament president Wan Muhamud Nor Matha will take the Transport and Communication portfolio, and former leader of Seridharm Party Prachuab Chaiyasarn will return to be minister for university affairs, said the report.
Thaksin was quoted as saying that candidates revealed by the mass media were 80 percent correct, and said that his cabinet should be acceptable.
The Thai leader earlier said that either a member of his Thai Rak Thai party, or an outsider will take the finance portfolio, which has been eagerly-followed and close-watched by the public and academics.
Thaksin has reportedly approached renowned experts to take the key economic post, including Chatumongol Sonakul, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, and Kosit Panpiamrat, a top executive of Bangkok Bank.
Seridharm Party dissolved itself and merged with the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party Sunday.
The new premier said he received lists of candidates for ministerial posts from New Aspiration and Chart Thai Parties, the other two partners in his coalition, Sunday evening.
The Thai Rak Thai leader said he had just finalized a list of potential candidates for ministerial posts under his party's quota.
The new cabinet was expected to be able to start its work by next week, he added.
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