Thai PM satisfied with new Cabinet line-up

BANGKOK, January 19 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed her satisfaction with her new Cabinet line-up, officially announced Wednesday evening after being approved by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a royal command, saying that she believes the new Cabinet can work, though including a new Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Nalinee Taveesin who was reportedly blacklisted by the United States. Before leaving for a one-day official visit to the Philippines Thursday morning, Yingluck insisted that the reshuffle of her Cabinet was done to recruit capable ministers to facilitate post-flood rehabilitation, not to return favours to any individual. Yingluck told journalists she is also confident that qualifications of newly-appointed Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Nalinee Taveesin do not violate the Thai Constitution, acknowledging, however, that she will have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recheck qualifications of the minister. Meanwhile, another newly-appointed Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan said he was experienced in media management and he could direct the mass mediato promote national reconciliation and solutions to people's problems, noting that Thailand's mass media have been well-developed and have enjoyed their freedom of expression. Newly-appointed Transport Ministe rJarupong Ruangsuwan revealed, on the other hand, that he used to be directors of state enterprises under the Thai Ministry of Transport and he is confident he can work at the tranport portfolio and supervise ministerial policies; while having his deputy Chadchart Sittiphan to particularly handle academic and technical affairs with further improved ministerial image. (TNA)