NAMING OF NEW TOP OFFICIAL DEFERRED

       The Commerce Ministry will seek Cabinet approval next week for the appointment of a new permanent secretary, a C-11 position for which Internal Trade Department director-general Yangyong Phuangrach is now the sole candidate.
       The matter was taken off the agenda for yesterday's Cabinet meeting, as the Bhum Jai Thai Party wanted the name of the new permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry to be approved at the same time.
       A source close to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said the Democrat Party had promised to give full authority to Bhum Jai Thai to appoint the heads of both ministries. The offer has been made in exchange for Bhum Jai Thai's non-intervention in the Democrats' authority to appoint a new national police chief.
       The source also said Yangyong had strong support for highest position, as he is the most senior of the C-10 officials at the Commerce Ministry.
       "Porntiva has favoured Yangyong for his energetic attempts to boost domestic economic growth," the source said.
       The other main candidate for the top bureaucratic job at the ministry was Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP).
       However, he is one of the 44 defendants in the rubber-sapling corruption case, on which the court has delayed its final judgement to September 21.
       Applied-law graduate Yangyong has served more than three decades as a distinguished civil servant in the Commerce Ministry.
       Yangyong has the ability to compromise, as well as extensive experience in the ministry's many departments. He is an expert in commercial law and played a vital role in international negotiations under the World Trade Organisation and in intellectual-property cases.
       Yangyong is also a former director-general of the Intellectual Property Department.
       Previously, he told the media that if he were appointed to the post of permanent secretary, he would seek to balance the Kingdom's economic growth by aggressively promoting domestic consumption instead of relying solely on exports.
       "I will continue to promote export growth, which is a key economic driver, as well as stimulating domestic spending and trying to ease the cost of living," said Yangyong.
       Following an upcoming reshuffle of C-10 officials, Rachane is seen as having high potential to replace Yangyong at the Internal Trade Department.
       A senior ministry source said Rachane had extensive experience in international trade and should be able to adapt his knowledge and skills to promote domestic growth.
       Srirat Rastapana and Pimpapaan Chansilpa, both female and the current deputy permanent secretaries of the ministry, are on a shortlist to become the next director-general of the DEP.