Thai govt stands firm

Tue, 21 Dec 1999 | Source: REUTERS

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.

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