DPM Wissanu's resignation effective June 24

BANGKOK, June 23 (TNA) - The resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam will become effective on Saturday and the government will not appoint a new person to replace him, Prime Thaksin Shinawatra said here on Friday.

Mr. Wissanu, a government law expert, said on Thursday he would soon resign from his post, but did not specify the date of tendering his resignation, saying he would leave the government when he had completed an unspecified unfinished task.

However, Mr. Thaksin told reporters at Government House that he had acknowledged Mr. Wissanu' s resignation effective on June 24 and said it was not necessary to appoint a new deputy premier as remaining deputies, as well as Government House officials could handle assignments previously assigned to the outgoing deputy premier.

Mr. Wissanu's resignation has been rumoured following former cabinet secretary-general Borvornsak Uwanno's resignation on June 6.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya denied a rumour that he also intended to leave the government, saying he would stay in office as long as he is wanted.

Dr. Thanong also dismissed rumours that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak had tendered his resignation.

TNA

No more resignations, says PM Thaksin

BANGKOK, June 25 (TNA)- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Sunday he believed there will be no more resignations of cabinet members.

The prime minister' s comment was made following widespread rumours that some cabinet members are considering leaving the government after the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, effective June 24.

Defence Minister General Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya was the latest minister being rumoured to resign soon.

"After this (Dr. Wissanu's resignation), there will be no other ministers to resign any more," Mr. Thaksin said, and promised he would lead the ruling Thai Rak Thai party to contest the upcoming general election.

The prime minister also noted that the resignations of Dr. Wissanu and Dr. Bovornsak Uwanno, who previously resigned from the position of secretary-general of the Cabinet to enter the monkhood, would not have much adverse effect on the caretaker government, he explained, as both were not members of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party, but were only legal advisors.

The government has many law experts, Mr. Thaksin said.

As for duties previously assigned to Dr. Wissanu, he said he might assign them to the remaining deputy prime ministers or to the minister attached to the prime minister's office instead.

Earlier, Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya and Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak denied rumours that they too intended to leave the government.

TNA