This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7795055.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Thailand cabinet to be sworn in Thailand's new cabinet sworn in
(about 3 hours later)
Thailand's new cabinet is due to be sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thailand's new cabinet has been sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Last week, the Democrat Party mustered enough votes in parliament to have its candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva elected as Thailand's fourth PM in a year.Last week, the Democrat Party mustered enough votes in parliament to have its candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva elected as Thailand's fourth PM in a year.
He has pledged to ease political tension and revive the economy, but has been forced to make some controversial choices in his cabinet line-up. Mr Vejjajiva has pledged to ease political tension and revive the economy, but was forced to make some controversial choices in his cabinet.
"I haven't sold my soul; there will be no deals," he said in his first interview as PM with the BBC last week. The monarch called for peace and order after months of political turmoil that helped bring down the last government.
But some in his new cabinet have already provoked strong protest from the business community, and even from inside his own party. After the swearing in ceremony, Mr Vejjajiva said he would heed the king's words and would "bring back harmony" to Thailand.
"I haven't sold my soul; there will be no deals," Mr Vejjajiva said in his first interview as PM with the BBC last week.
Notoriously mercenaryNotoriously mercenary
But some in his new cabinet have already provoked strong protest from the business community, and even from inside his own party, reports BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
Two powerful ministries - interior and transport - have gone to the faction whose defection from the previous government swung the balance of votes in Mr Abhisit's favour. ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA: NEW THAI PM Born in Britain, educated at Eton and OxfordEntered parliament in 1992 as one of its youngest membersDemocrat Party leader since 2005Opposed military coup that overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra Profile: Abhisit VejjajivaTwo powerful ministries - interior and transport - have gone to the faction whose defection from the previous government swung the balance of votes in Mr Abhisit's favour. ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA: NEW THAI PM Born in Britain, educated at Eton and OxfordEntered parliament in 1992 as one of its youngest membersDemocrat Party leader since 2005Opposed military coup that overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra Profile: Abhisit Vejjajiva
That faction is led by a notoriously mercenary local politician. That faction is led by a notoriously mercenary local politician, says Jonathan Head.
It is also difficult to deny deals were done with the smaller parties who joined the coalition; for example the important commerce portfolio was given to the politically-inexperienced owner of a large massage parlour. He adds that it is also difficult to deny deals were done with the smaller parties who joined the coalition; for example the important commerce portfolio was given to the politically-inexperienced owner of a large massage parlour.
But the biggest controversy surrounds Mr Abhisit's choice of foreign minister, Kasit Piromya. But the biggest controversy surrounds Mr Abhisit's choice of foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, says our correspondent.
Mr Kasit is an unapologetic supporter of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest movement, and still defends its occupation of Bangkok's international airport last month.Mr Kasit is an unapologetic supporter of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest movement, and still defends its occupation of Bangkok's international airport last month.
He is a very experienced diplomat, but on Monday he was accused by one Thai newspaper of displaying abysmal judgment in recent months.He is a very experienced diplomat, but on Monday he was accused by one Thai newspaper of displaying abysmal judgment in recent months.