BANGKOK, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The executive board of Thailand's ruling Democrat Party Wednesday voted at a meeting to appoint a new public health minister, Thai News Agency reported.

    The meeting agreed to transfer Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit to become the country's new public health minister.

    The meeting was held after Witthaya Kaewparadai resigned last Tuesday as the public health minister after a government-appointed panel has discovered a sign of irregularities on managing funds, which will be allocated to finance mega healthcare projects.

    Witthaya has denied all of the allegations arguing that the funds were not yet disbursed, however, his resignation was to show a political responsibility.

    Meanwhile, Chinnaworn Boonyakiart, chief coalition whip, was voted to replace Jurin as the new education minister.