Chatichai named advisor to PM

Chatichai named advisor to PM

BANGKOK (AFP): Chatichai Choonhavan, former premier and head
of the second largest party in Thailand's coalition government,
was yesterday appointed special advisor to Prime Minister
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

Chatichai's appointment as advisor for economic and foreign
affairs came just days after Chavalit named his cabinet, which
included a team of seasoned technocrats without party
affiliations to head key economic ministries.

Chatichai, who served as premier from 1988 to 1990 during a
period of high economic growth, is widely seen as an accomplished
economic manager.

The new government has come under heavy pressure to address
the economy, which has lost the confidence of both local and
foreign investors amid a slumping bourse and the release of
dismal export figures.