Bank of Thailand Governor likely to be the next PM

BANGKOK: Bank of Thailand Governor Pridayadhorn Devakula is said to be the leading candidate to assume caretaker Prime Minister's post following the military ouster of premier Thaksin Shinawatra, 'The Nation Daily' said.

Devakula, who is in Singapore to attend the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings, has cut short his trip, the paper's website said.

He was quoted as saying that he had accepted the offer to become Prime Minister. An announcement is likely later on Wednesday.

Thaksin was overthrown by a military coup on Tuesday night led by Army Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

In an interview to the Army-controlled 'Channel Five' television station, Boonyaratkalin said he would brief foreign ambassadors on Tuesday on the reason for the coup and measures taken to bring the situation under control.

He said the safety of foreigners in the country would be assured.

Boonyaratkalin issued stern warnings to people to stay away from political demonstrations while traders were told not to hoard consumer goods or increase prices.

Although the capital remained calm following the coup d'etat, there were fears that Thaksin supporters could stage demonstrations or try to restore his government.

Those who break the law would be sentenced to six months' jail or fined 10,000 baht or both, Sonthi has warned.

The Army Chief also told media outlets not to go "overboard" with their reports.