Yukol, Yanyong tipped for top positions

       The Agriculture and Cooperatives and Commerce ministries will today table nominations for their new permanent secretaries for cabinet approval.
       Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut, of the Chart Thai Pattana Party,yesterday said the person to replace permanent secretary for agriculture Jaranthada Kanasuta would be a specialist in national agricultural affairs and international cooperation.
       Mr Jaranthada retires at the end of this month.
       Mr Theera said many of the Agriculture Ministry's C-10 officers were qualified for the post of permanent secretary, but he declined to say whom he had chosen.
       A ministry source said Livestock Development Department chief Yukol Limlaemthong, who is known to be close to Bhumjaithai de facto leader Newin Chidchob, would be nominated.
       Mr Yukol was one of Mr Newin's close aides when he was a deputy agriculture minister during the Thaksin administration.
       Yanyong Puangrach, the directorgeneral of the Internal Trade Department,was expected to be nominated for the Commerce Ministry's top position.
       Minister Porntiva Nakasai, of the Bhumjaithai Party, reportedly tabled Mr Yanyong's name at last week's cabinet meeting but the nomination was blocked by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
       Political observers said Mr Abhisit might again oppose Mr Yanyong's nomination because he once argued with the prime minister at a cabinet meeting.
       Others said Mr Yanyong's nomination might be blocked because of the conflict between the Democrat and the Bhumjaithai parties over the nomination of the new national police chief.