New Thai PM Forms Cabinet
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Bangkok, Thailand (AHN) - Thailand's military appointed new prime minister has started building his cabinet on Wednesday even as the political power base of disgraced premier Thaksin Shinawatra was crumbling apart. Former army chief Surayud Chulanont who was installed by the military as the country's new prime minister, has named the head of the central bank and a private executive to comprise his economic team. But he asked for more time to complete his government. The 63-year-old premier said, "Please be patient and wait a few days. I think it will be clear by next week." On Wednesday, the retired general also met with coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, whose junta maintains a strong influence over Surayud, including the power to sack him. Meanwhile, Washington has reiterated its call to the coup leaders to immediately restore democracy in the country, with an embassy official issuing a warning "if martial law is not lifted in a week to 10 days, that would be a problem." The U.S. is calling for "a quick return" to democracy and voiced concern about "provisions in the draft constitution that appear to give the military an ongoing and influential role in decision-making." But Sonthi said "martial law will remain in force for the time being... We don't know what will happen during this transition period." Surayud has so far recruited the |
