Thai PM chairs last meeting

2006-04-05 14:31

Bangkok - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra chaired his last cabinet meeting on Wednesday, a day after stunning the country by announcing his resignation.

"It's the last cabinet meeting," a cheerful-looking Thaksin shouted to an army of reporters waiting for him outside his offices.

Most of the premier's 33 cabinet members were on hand for what was expected to be a formal announcement of Thaksin's decision not to stand for the premiership after a new parliament is convened following Sunday's elections.

Thaksin said he was stepping down out of respect for the country's king, who celebrates 60 years on the throne this year.

The move came amid intense pressure for Thaksin to quit over allegations that he abused his power. It followed flawed elections that saw the premier's apparent victory undermined by a huge protest vote.

Shock at resignation

One cabinet member said on Wednesday that most of Thaksin's inner circle were shocked by the unexpected move.

"Yesterday during the cabinet meeting (Thaksin) still said he would not give up his fight, so last night... was sort of a surprise which caught most of the ministers off-guard," the official said.

Thaksin said he would carry on as caretaker until a successor was chosen, but he will not come to work in his offices in Government House or chair any more cabinet meetings.

"Prime Minister Thaksin will not return to Government House because he wants to recuperate and does not want to create an uneasy feeling among the parties," government spokesperson Surapong Suebwonglee said.

He will set up offices at his party headquarters instead.

In Thaksin's absence, deputy premier Chidchai Vanansathidya will be appointed acting caretaker prime minister.

- AFP