Thai govt stands firm

Thai govt stands firm

BANGKOK (Reuters): Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said he
had no intention of reshuffling his Cabinet or dissolving
parliament after easily surviving a no-confidence vote on Monday,
but admitted a five-day censure debate exposed some weak points.

Chuan's six-party coalition defeated an opposition motion
accusing it of economic mismanagement, condoning corruption and
conflicts of interest over a scandal at state-run Krung Thai Bank
by 229 votes to 125.

But key ministers, including finance minister Tarrin
Nimmanahaeminda and interior minister Sanan Kachornprasart took a
mauling during the debate.

The opposition itself had conceded it had no chance of winning
the debate, nor even of forcing early elections -- which must be
held by November 2000. But it hopes to have scored points among
the electorate when the next election comes around.