Chuan to reduce overseas posts

Chuan to reduce overseas posts

BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has asked the Foreign Ministry to downsize its overseas posts as part of a government-wide initiative to cut spending, reports said yesterday.

Chuan urged the ministry to cut back on staff at Thai embassies as part of an austerity drive during the country's worst economic crisis in decades, a report in The Nation said.

Staff at Thailand's 80 or so overseas posts are provided by various government ministries, including commerce, defense, agriculture and labor.

Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan was reported as suggesting the ministry delay replacing diplomats at the end of their overseas appointments.