The Surayud Chulanont government is far from being poor but is not exactly rich either when compared to the billionaire club in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

The least affluent is Deputy Interior Minister Banyat Jansena with a net worth of less than Bt1 million, while Deputy Premier and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula is worth Bt754 million, the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) said yesterday.

The NCCC released the assets statements submitted by Cabinet members, their spouses and minor children. The political office-holders are required to declare their assets and liabilities within 30 days of assuming office.

Banyat's wife Wanna has a net worth of Bt16 million, helping her husband to maintain a suitable decorum for his office.

Pridiyathorn's wife Prapha-phan has Bt258 million in her name, and their daughter Pudjeep has Bt7 million, making the combined net worth of the Devakula family able to just scrape into the billionaire club.

Prime Minister Surayud is worth Bt25 million while his wife Khunying Chitrawadee has Bt65 million.

Surayud has divided his assets between Bt7 million in saving accounts and Bt18 million in nine plots located in Lop Buri, Si Sa Ket, Bangkok and Samut Prakan.

Information and Commu-nication Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom has a net worth of Bt318 million, including his collection of 320 guns. His wife Pornpan has Bt814 million in assets, including 31 plots of land.

Sitthichai yesterday said he had begun collecting guns more than 10 years ago. They were all bought in Thailand, and all of them are legally registered, he said. Many of them are rare items with delicate carvings.

His father and father-in-law are military officers, the ICT minister said.

He admitted that there was a sharp contrast between his image as an academic and his gun-collecting hobby.

Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras has Bt5 million while his wife Yuphana holds the majority of the family assets, worth Bt150 million. He concurrently holds the industry portfolio.

PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan has Bt49 million in assets and Bt1.8 million in outstanding loans. Her husband Thawat has Bt11 million.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan and his wife Pimolpan have a combined net worth of Bt30 million held almost equally under their names. Their minor daughter Jitpimol has Bt37,064 in her savings account.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas has Bt11 million, and his wife Cholthip has Bt4 million.

The wealth of Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram is Bt361 million while his wife Patcharin has Bt56 million.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sawanit Kongsiri has Bt309 million. He is a widower.

Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani has a net worth of Bt4 million after deducting his loans, worth Bt17 million. His wife Khunying Songsuda has Bt27 million.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham has Bt34 million while his wife Khunying Jada boasts a net worth of Bt351 million.

Agriculture Minister Thira Sutabutra has Bt69 million while his wife Sunongnat holds the family's purse worth Bt380 million, including a Bt200-million school and 40 plots of land.

Thira's deputy Rungruang Isarangkura na Ayutthaya has Bt2.9 million while his wife Chatsaran has Bt31 million.

Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen has Bt15 million while his wife Khunying Manchumas is Bt10 million richer than him.

Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um has Bt28 million while his wife Phatrawadee has Bt77 million.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong na Ayutthaya is worth Bt80 million while his wife Khunying Jamree has Bt11 million.

Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet is worth Bt26 million while his wife Kanchana has Bt20 million.

Energy Minister Piyasavasti Amranand has Bt383 million worth of assets, including Bt108 million in stock portfolios. His wife Anik has Bt82 million.

Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya has Bt136 million worth of assets, including his holding of 39 plots. His wife Sumana has Bt17 million, and their daughter Nawarat has Bt34 million.

Justice Minister Chanchai Likitjittha and his wife Pensri have about Bt4 million each.

Labour Minister Apai Chandanachulaka is worth Bt29 million while his wife Jaruvan has almost Bt14 million.

Culture Minister Khunying Kaisri Sri-aroon has Bt11 million while her husband Admiral Kamjad has Bt12 million.

Science and Technology Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong is worth Bt6 million while his wife Ornchuma has Bt36 million.

Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an boasts Bt44 million while his wife Sukhon has the paltry sum of Bt1,050 in a savings account in the United States.

Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla is worth Bt4 million. He is separated from his wife Boonpano.

Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn has assets worth Bt674 million, including 61 plots. His wife Sujintana has Bt178 million.

Two newly appointed ministers, Sommai Phasi for deputy finance portfolio and Prasit Kovilaikool for the PM's Office portfolio, are expected to declare their assets later this month.