Thai coup chief tipped to take cabinet post

Thai Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya said yesterday he would resign next month over a conflict of interest, paving the way for retiring coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin to replace him.

Sonthi, due to retire as the army chief at the end of this month, has not hidden his desire for a ministry but says it is up to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to decide.

Sonthi, who ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup last September, shrugged off threats by Thaksin supporters to hold mass protests if he chose to cling on to power by taking a cabinet post.