Cabinet names Korbsak PM's secretary-general

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (TNA) - The Cabinet on Tuesday appointed former deputy prime minister Korbsak Sabhavasu new Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, while the coalition Bhumjaithai Party asked for two more days to seek its candidate for deputy health minister in the party's quota to be included in the new minister list to be forwarded for royal endorsement.

Mr Korbsak, who was in charge of economic affairs, submitted his letter of resignation from the deputy premier post to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday to open the way for a minor cabinet reshuffle.

The premier's secretary-general position has been vacant since former secretary-general Niphon Promphan resigned in early October.

Democrat Party executives earlier selected deputy leader and senior MP Trairong Suwankiri as deputy premier to replace Mr Korbsak.

Government Chief Whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat will become education minister, while the current Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit is tipped to take over the public health ministry after Witthaya Kaewparadai resigned from his post on December 29.

Mr Witthaya earlier announced his resignation to take responsibility for the mismanagement of ministry projects after a government committee probe alleged corruption in the ministry's Bt86 billion budget for procurement under the Thai Khemkhaeng (Strong Thailand) stimulus package.

Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi resigned Sunday after initial resistance to government pressure and the public outcry which arose from the situation.

Bhumjaithai Party leader Chavarat Charnveerakul said Tuesday that his party had not yet decided who will take Mr Manit's vacated post, instead asked the premier for two more days to select an appropriate nominee.

Mr Chavarat, Interior Minister, expressed hope that the minister named in the party quota will be known Tuesday evening, but if the decision is further delayed, the party may ask the premier to forward the list of other ministers for royal endorsement. (TNA)