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Thai PM reveals post-coup cabinet Thai post-coup Cabinet unveiled
(about 5 hours later)
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has approved the Cabinet chosen by the new prime minister, Gen Surayud Chulanont, Thai television has reported. Thailand's military rulers have announced the post-coup Cabinet, chosen by new Premier Gen Surayud Chulanont.
The head of Thailand's central bank, Pridiyathorn Devakula, has been named finance minister and deputy premier. The head of the central bank, Pridiyathorn Devakula, has been named finance minister and deputy premier.
Nitya Pibulsongkram has been given the foreign affairs portfolio. The defence ministry goes to Gen Bunrod Somtad. Other top jobs have been given to academics and bureaucrats, with only two ex-military officers in the 26-member team.
Leaders of September's coup, which ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, say they will hold an election next October. The interim government is due to be sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej later in the day.
Bloodless coup Gen Surayud will lead his new Cabinet at the ceremony, and then they will begin work "right away", said government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp.
Thai television announced that 26 ministers would form Gen Surayud's cabinet. Army officers took over Thailand after a bloodless coup on 19 September, ousting the then prime minister, Mr Shinawatra, while he was attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The key jobs have gone to respected economists, long-time civil servants and two retired military officers.
Army officers took over the country after a bloodless coup on 19 September, ousting the then prime minister, Mr Shinawatra, while he was attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The coup leaders say the military had to overthrow the former government to stop systematic corruption.The coup leaders say the military had to overthrow the former government to stop systematic corruption.
Retired Gen Surayud was sworn in as prime minister by coup leader General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin on 1 October. 'The right man'
The military has unveiled a short-term constitution under which they will maintain substantial powers until elections promised for October 2007. Thailand's central bank chief, Pridiyathorn Devakula, has been selected to serve as finance minister and deputy prime minister in the new Cabinet.
The new constitution gives the military broad powers, including the right to dismiss the prime minister. NEW THAI CABINET Prime Minister Surayud ChulanontFinance Minister Pridiyathorn DevakulaForeign Minister Nitya PibulsonggramDefence Minister Boonrawd SomtasEducation Minister Wichit Srisa-anEnergy Minister Piyasvasti AmranandTransport Minister Thira Haocharoen Analysts are likely to view his appointment as an attempt to ease investors' worries about the economic consequences of the coup.
"He is the right man for the current situation," said Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat party, which was the main opposition during Mr Thaksin's rule.
Another senior Cabinet member, new Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsongkram, is also being seen as a popular choice.
He is well-known abroad, and served as chief negotiator in free trade talks between Thailand and the United States.
Retired army general Bunrod Somtad, a close friend of Gen Surayud, was named defence minister - one of only two former military men named as Cabinet members.
Many critics had been watching to see how many military figures featured in the new Cabinet line-up - looking for signs of how much control the coup leaders wish to retain under the new government.
Since the coup, the military have chosen Gen Surayud as the new prime minister and unveiled a short-term constitution, under which they will maintain substantial powers until elections promised for October 2007.
Martial law is still in place - as it has been since the night of the coup - and Yongyuth Mayalarp said it would continue to remain in force for the time being.
"With regard to martial law, the new government has to consider the current situation," Mr Yongyuth told Reuters new agency.