Thailand's interim premier Surayud Chulanont on Monday unveiled his cabinet. The cabinet was announced in a televised broadcast early in the day after King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorsed the lineup just before midnight.

The list included 28 ministers serving under Surayud, who was appointed prime minister after a bloodless coup on September 19, toppling Thaksin Shinawatra's government.

Thailand's central bank chief, Pridiyathorn Devakula, was named finance minister and will also serve as a deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

Former ambassador to the United States Nitya Pibulsonggram was named foreign minister. Retired army general, Bunrod Somtad, a longtime friend of Surayud was named defense minister.

The executive chairman of Bangkok Bank, Kosit Panpiemras, was named industry minister and one of two deputy prime ministers. The portfolio of commerce minister was accepted by Krirkkrai Jirapaet, a former permanent secretary at the ministry.

According to the schedule drafted by the Council for National Security, which led the coup and annulled the 1997 constitution, the caretaker government is expected to rule the country for one year until elections are held in October next year.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2006)