BANGKOK, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Thai interim prime minister Surayud Chulanont said Thursday that Thailand's former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai has withdrawn his name for consideration as a candidate for the post of UN secretary general, the Thai News Agency reported.

    Surakiart, deputy to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was deposed in a military coup last month, met newly-appointed interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont at Government House Thursday to officially inform the premier of his decision to leave the race.

    On Monday an informal poll was held in New York in which South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon won overwhelming support and thus was assured of being selected as the next UN chief.

    Surayud said Surakiart told him it was a tradition for final-round candidates with less support in the race to withdraw their bids. Enditem