New Thai cabinet list submitted to king

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who was appointed by the military after the Sept. 19 coup that ousted former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, submitted his Cabinet list to the palace office Friday, said government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarb.

"We're waiting for his majesty to endorse the Cabinet list," Yongyuth told The Associated Press, adding that it was unclear when the approval would come but that it was expected soon. "It may be today or tomorrow."

Surayud was expected to announce the lineup immediately after receiving the king's approval, Yongyuth said.

The military council that led the coup installed Surayud as prime minister Oct. 1, and he pledged to have his government in place in about a week. He appeared intent on keeping his promise amid mounting international criticism of the coup.

Surayud is expected to oversee the interim government until a new constitution is enacted and an election is held in October next year.

The Cabinet is expected to include respected technocrats and political figures with clean backgrounds. The military council that ousted Thaksin accused his government of corruption and is investigating the allegations.

Some key positions appeared to have been filled last week.

Thailand's central bank chief, Pridiyathorn Devakula, said Saturday he was slated to become finance minister and serve as a deputy prime minister for economic matters.

Pridiyathorn, a well-respected economist who helped steer Thailand's economy out of the devastating 1997 Asian financial crisis, is among half a dozen prominent people who have already said they have agreed to join Surayud's Cabinet.