Thai deputy prime minister Pridiyathorn quits

Bangkok, Feb 28: Thailand's Finance Minister and Deputy PrimeMinister Pridiyathorn Devakula today stopped down, quitting, triggeringspeculation of sweeping changes in the five-month-old interimgovernment set up by the leaders of the military coup last year.

Mr Pridiyathorn, a former central bank chief, cited differenceswith Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont over economic management and therecent controversial induction of a senior leader of the oustedgovernment among the reasons for his decision.

''I have talked to the prime minister. He approved my resignation and he understands,'' Mr Pridiyathorn told mediapersons.

Governor of the Bank of Thailand before joining the civilianadministration set up after the 19 September 2006 military takeover, MrPridiyathorn had faced heavy criticism from media and opponents over aseries of decisions that have affected foreign business confidence inthe country.

Mr Pridiyathorn also blamed the recent abortive attempt to appointa former deputy prime minister and finance minister in ousted primeminister Thaksin Shinawatra's government as an official economyspokesman.

The Thai Prime Minister's about-turn on the appointment of formerfinance minister Somkid Jatusripitak in the face of strong oppositionfrom media and civil society supporters is also seen to have underminedthe government's popularity.

Recent opinion polls have shown a sharp slump in the popularityratings of the government headed by Mr Surayud who is widely admired asa man of personal integrity and principles.

Inability to check the spiraling insurgent violence in southernThailand, perceived fumbling with the investigation into the New Yeareve serial bomb blasts in the capital and economic mismanagement areblamed for the growing public disenchantment with the government.

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