Special report: Thai deputy PM appointed caretaker PM

    BANGKOK, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon on Friday called in foreign media based in Bangkok to officially report on the political situation Thailand is now facing. He stressed that Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra is still the country's caretaker Prime Minister until a new leader is selected out by the parliament.

    Kantathi said that deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya was just appointed as the acting premier after Thaksin decided to take a rest upon a decision earlier this week not to accept the premiership in the post-election government.

    When asked about the future policy of foreign affairs, including the foreign trading of Thailand, Kantathi ensured that Thailand will continue its friendly contact with other countries, no matter who selected as new prime minister.

    He stressed that the foreign trade policies, such as Free Trade Areas (FTA) agreements, will go on within the existing frameworks.

    But as a caretaker government, Kantathi said, the implementation of key policies would be up to the new government. Enditem