Oranuj quits

Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda, facing mounting calls to resign over the controversy about her excessive shareholdings in private companies, has finally decided to leave the cabinet effective October 1.

She made her decision known this afternoon in a press conference at a city hotel.

Ms Oranuj is one of three cabinet ministers, alongside Interior Minister Aree Wongarya and Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, found to be in possession of stakes in excess of 5% in private companies.

While Mr Sitthichai promptly declared his resignation, which is to take effect on Oct 1, Ms Oranuj and Mr Aree previously said they had no plans to quit.

However Oranuj changed her mind amid growing pressure for her resignation.

She told reporters at the conference that she did not want to stay on as that could tarnish the reputation of her family.

"I also do not want to see people being divided because of this issue.''

Earlier Sunday, Assumption University ABAC poll on Bangkok respondents indicated that all the three cabinet ministers holding equity shares exceeding the five per cent legal limit should resign from their posts.

ABAC Poll director Noppadol Kannikar said the poll conducted between September 21-22 of 1,464 persons aged over 18 in Bangkok and its surrounding areas showed that 46.2 per cent of the total respondents said the trio should quit their posts while 28.8 per cent said they could continue working.

Nearly half -- 48.5 per cent of the respondents -- said that the shareholdings beyond the legal limit by the three ministers in the interim government of Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont represented a negative effect on the example of good governance of the government while 35.9 per cent said no negative impact was seen.