Thailand's reshuffled cabinet was endorsed by King Bhumibol and announced Saturday evening, DPA quoted Thai media as reporting. The shake-up was necessary after several ministers had to resign after losing legal battles over their qualifications, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said. Before the shake-up, Samak had already lost three of his cabinet ministers to Thailand's judiciary and court rulings during his six months in office. Former minister to the prime minister's office Jakrapob Penkair was forced to resign in June to face lese-majeste charges, while in July the then health minister, Chaiya Sasomsap, was found guilty of asset concealment and forced to resign. Ex-foreign minister Noppadon Pattama quit his job after being accused of breaching the constitution. Last month veteran bureaucrat Tej Bunnag replaced Noppadon as foreign minister after a court ruled an agreement Noppadon signed with Cambodia was unconstitutional. It was announced Saturday former national police chief General Kowit Wattana would replace outspoken Police Captain Chalerm Yubamruang as interior minister. In other moves, Mingkwan Saengsuwan gave up his deputy prime minister and commerce minister posts and was appointed industry minister. Former health minister Chaiya returned to take up the commerce minister post.
