Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed on Wednesday a new civilian cabinet of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha following a March 24 election.
The endorsement wasannounced in the Royal Gazette.
Prayuth, a formerarmy chief and junta leader, was elected prime minister by military-appointedsenators and legislators after the election, under a system his opponents saidwas unfair.
Prayuth was nameddefence minister. The new finance minister is Uttama Savanayana, leader of thePalang Pracharat Party that backed Prayuth.
Uttama held theindustry portfolio in the military government and before that held variouspositions in the private sector.
Prayuth's loyalistsfrom the military government including Prawit Wongsuwan, Somkid Jatusripitakand Wissanu Krea-ngam remain deputy prime ministers.
Former deputy juntaleader, Anupong Paochinda, retains his post as interior minister.
But Prayuth sharedout some important economic portfolios with other political parties in hiscoalition government made up of 19 parties.
The Democrat Partytook the agriculture and commerce ministries, while the Bhumjaithai Party tookthe health, transport and tourism portfolios.
WanwichitBoonprong, a political analyst at Rangit University, said he was disappointedby a line-up that appeared aimed more at paying back political allies thanensuring the best people were in charge."This is more about matching parties interests rather than namingappropriate people for the right job," he said.
