Five new cabinet ministers swear oath of allegiance to HM the King

BANGKOK, Jan 18 (TNA) - Thailand's five newly-appointed Cabinet ministers took the oath of allegiance to the nation and to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday at the Chalerm Prakiat Building in Siriraj Hospital, where the monarch has been receiving medical treatment.

His Majesty the King on Friday gave his royal endorsement to the Cabinet reshuffle proposed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

They will begin their duties on Tuesday by attending the weekly Cabinet meeting.

The new five ministers and deputy ministers, led by Mr Abhisit to appear before HM the King, were Democrat party deputy leader and senior MP Trairong Suwankiri, Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Pubic Health Minister Phansiri Kulnardsiridamrong and Transport Minister Suchart Chokechaiwattanakorn.

Mr Trairong was appointed deputy premier in charge of economic affairs to replace Korbsak Sabhavasu who resigned to be appointed secretary-general to the prime minister.

Government Chief Whip Chinnaworn became education minister, succeeding Jurin who took the reins of the public health ministry after Witthaya Kaewparadai resigned on December 29 to show responsibility for mismanagement of the ministry's Bt86 billion procurement budget under the Thai Khemkhaeng (Strong Thailand) stimulus package.

Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi resigned last week after initially resisting government pressure and the public outcry regarding the situation, and the Bhumjaithai Party's Phansiri took Mr Manit's vacated post.

Suchart was appointed deputy minister of transport after Prachak Kaewklaharn of the Bhumchaithai Party resigned Thursday.

Mr Chinnaworn told reporters after the ceremony that HM the King admonished the new ministers to work honestly and work for the benefit of the public and bring happiness to the people.

Mrs Phansiri also said that HM the King instructed the ministers to work for the benefit of the people as a whole and adhere to principles of honesty.

Before proceeding to Siriraj Hospital, Mr Abhisit meting with the new Cabinet members at Government House to review the government's policies and their responsibilities in continuing the work of their predecessors. (TNA)