THAILAND: The appointment last week of a...

THAILAND: The appointment last week of a competent interim government of respected technocrats has reassured Thai citizens and foreign investors, but conflicts with the military and deeper political problems still loom. Led by Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, the Cabinet sworn into office is composed of eight military men and 27 civilians. The civilians, all with top government experience, include 10 former ministers, while most of the military men are getting their first taste of civilian administration. “This is about the best government we could expect,” one foreign manager said. “I think there will be a return to business as usual if the military does not interfere too much.”