Thaksin Shinawatra: To be given pardon or Cabinet role?
Thailand's next Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has dismissed mounting rumours that her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, will be given an official role under her tenure.
Reports from daily the Bangkok Post and AFP said the 44-year-old elected Prime Minister said his brother, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 will not be appointed as trade envoy as reports speculated.
"It's not true, there is no such position appointed,"Ms Yingluck told reporters as she arrived at her party's headquarters in Bangkok for a meeting with economic advisers.
She clarified that there will be no role for Thaksin and he is content to provide her with moral support and advice.
She added: "He is fine overseas and he is not anticipating getting any political position. He merely wants to see national reconciliation."
Economic Team and Cabinet members
Reports from the Bangkok Post and other local dailies said the new economic team may be comprised of Olarn Chaiprawat, a former deputy prime minister in the Somchai Wongsawat government.
Another name that came up is said Pichai Naripthapan, former deputy finance minister of the Samak Sundaravej government, would probably be named energy minister.
Other possible members of the new cabinet lineup included -- Kanawat Wasinsangworn, former assistant to the minister of information and communications technology, as the ICT minister; former transport minister Santi Prompat was likely to take up his former job.
Former finance minister Suchart Thadathamrongvej was also expected to return to his former position, and Pheu Thai deputy leader Surapong Towichakchaikul would likely be deputy minister of finance.
Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) chairman Charoen Wangananon said he wants the new tourism and sports minister to have a good understanding of the tourism industry, to help upgrade the country's tourism sector, the Bangkok Post said.