"Some ministries have a heavy workload with broad responsibilities, hence I deem it necessary to appoint additional ministers to streamline the work," he said.

Surayud spoke after chairing a closed-door meeting with his Cabinet to discuss the reshuffle.

"In the meeting, my ministers and I have reached an agreement for enlarging the Cabinet although details will be revealed after the royal endorsement on new ministers," he said, evading a question on the timetable for reshuffling his Cabinet.

He said he had yet to finalise his decision whether to fill all 36 seats in the Cabinet or to bring in a limited number of new ministers.

He ruled out the speculation that he might name a new deputy minister in charge of security affairs, saying he was still unwavering in his stand that the Council for National Security should be completely in charge of the issue.

He said he expected new ministers to help speeding up policy implementation.

"Whether the new Cabinet lineup would meet the public expectations will be the matter for the people to decide by themselves," he said, dismissing the allegation that he was trying to boost his popularity.

He said his government wanted to complete its mission for the transition period of restoring democratic rule and had not been obliged to sway the public sentiment like its elected predecessors.

"The government is expected to take a more proactive stand for its remaining term in order to complete its job on time and I hope to inform the people of accomplishments via my midterm report early next month," he said.

The Nation