Thai junta's new advisors surprised by job offer

BANGKOK: Several expert advisors tapped by Thailand's new military rulers to help them govern voiced surprise Wednesday at their appointments, saying the junta had not bothered to inform them in advance.   

"I was surprised," said former senator Sophon Suphapong, who was named to an advisory panel on national reconciliation. "I only found out about my appointment from a reporter who heard my name in the TV announcement."   

The junta on Tuesday said it had chosen 60 experts to guide them on economic, foreign, governance and reconciliation policies, following their September 19 overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup.         

Santi Vilassakdanont, the head of the kingdom's largest business group, the Federation of Thai Industries, also said he was not told about his new job.          

"I was surprised but I believe the junta must want us to help it manage economic issues," said Santi, who was named as an economic advisor.           

Central Bank chief Pridiyathorn Devaluka meanwhile told a local paper that the junta had asked him to help manage the economy, with growth predicted to slow because of Thailand's prolonged political turmoil.           

"At present I have no economic advice for the junta because the Thai economy is doing fine and will get better," the Matichon daily quoted him as saying.       

The junta on Wednesday said it would name a new interim prime minister this weekend. A retired general and a former head of the World Trade Organization are being seen as the front-runners.