"But when he told me that I would get a new deputy, I said it's good news," Mongkol said.

Following royal approval on Saturday, Vallop Thaineua will assume the position of deputy public health minister.

And Theerawut Butrsriphum will become deputy interior minister, while Nat Indarapan will be deputy tourism and sports minister.

They will take office on May 8.

Mongkol said there was much work to be done at his ministry and more deputy ministers would be good. "It would be even better if there were three deputy public health ministers," he said.

Vallop will work with Deputy Public Health Minister Morakot Kornkasem.

Vallop is a respected medical professional who rose to become permanent secretary for public health. However, in 2004, then Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, transferred him to an inactive post, alleging he had failed to carry out government policies.

After Vallop's transfer, many senior public-health officials submitted their resignations in support of him. He later hit out at Sudarat over a computer procurement project - and she had him transferred out of the ministry.

Asked whether Vallop would affect the ongoing investigation into the computer scandal, Mongkol said: "No. An investigation panel has been in charge. Also, I will ensure justice for everyone."

Medical Services Department director general Dr Chatree Banchuen, who is being investigated in connection with the scandal, declined to comment on Vallop's appointment.

"But I am confident that I have done the right thing and have acted in line with ministerial regulations," he said.

Surayud said he put Vallop in the post of deputy public health minister to handle alleged corruption cases.

"It is partly because I have been long accused of failing to act on corruption. We are going to act against corruption - and not just acts committed by the past administration," the premier said.

He said he had appointed new Cabinet members to help with government projects, as the incumbent administration had just seven months left in office.

With the three new Cabinet members, the quota of seats of the Cabinet is now full. Asked how he would cope with political problems next time, Surayud said his Cabinet members would be ready to resign if circumstances required.

Asked whether he would like to quit because of persistent problems, the PM gave a firm "no".

Duangkamon    Sajirawatthanakul,

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation