Cabinet reshuffle endorsed by Thai King

BANGKOK, August 20 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has officially announced a Cabinet reshuffle, endorsed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and published in the Royal Gazette. According to a royal command, issued on August 19, 2015 with immediate effect and released on August 20, many new faces from the private sector have been appointed in the new Cabinet line-up, while Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, who earlier oversaw national economic affairs, and Finance Minister Sommai Phasee, were replaced, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn has retained the post of a Deputy Prime Minister. In the new Cabinet line-up, a total of 11 ministers left their offices, while 10 others have been either promoted or newly appointed. Somkid Jatusripitak, who served as a deputy prime minister in the previous government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and was adviser of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has been appointed a new Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national economic affairs. Apisak Tantivorawong, a former top executive of state-run Krung Thai Bank (KTB), has become new Finance Minister, deputy commerce minister Apiradi Tantraporn has been promoted to be the new Commerce Minister and Suvit Maesincee has been appointed the new Deputy Commerce Minister, while former permanent secretary for industry Atchaka Sibunruang has been promoted to be the new Industry Minister, replacing Chakramon Phasukvanich. Former deputy foreign minister Don Pramudwinai has been promoted to be the new Foreign Minister. All the newly-appointed Cabinet members will be sworn-in before His Majesty the King at a later date before taking their new offices. (TNA)