Thai PM replaces top ministers
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reshuffled his cabinet, replacing his interior, defense and finance ministers.
The new cabinet was Wednesday after the constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, endorsed the move.
The overhaul comes amid mounting criticism against the government over its handling of a bird flu outbreak, ethnic violence in the Muslim south and the proposed privatization of government-owned firms.
In the new lineup, Chetta Thanajaro, a former army chief, was named defense minister.
Former Defense Minister Thamarak Isarangura was moved into the post of deputy prime minister.
Another Deputy Prime Minister, Bhokin Bhalakula, has been named interior minister, replacing Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. Muhamad also received a deputy prime minister post in the cabinet.
Analysts say Muhamad and Thamarak were removed from their posts after a spate of violence in southern Thailand that has left dozens dead since January.
Analysts and some politicians believe the violence may be a sign of the rekindling of a separatist movement in the nation's south.
In another shift, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has become the new Thai finance minister, replacing Suchart Jaovisidha who also becomes a deputy prime minister.
Somkid is no stranger to the finance portfolio, having served as finance minister for two years until early in 2003.
No ministers were were moved over the government's handling of the bird flu outbreak, which has killed at least seven people in Thailand and devastated the nation's poultry industry.
Bangkok was accused of covering up the epidemic for weeks -- a move that critics say hampered efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
However, the agriculture minister and his deputy kept their jobs.
