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.