Military chiefs who ousted the elected government consolidated their power Wednesday in Thailand's interim Cabinet by taking the key defense and interior ministry posts.
Military officers make up eight of the Cabinet's 34 posts, though there is a civilian prime minister, Anand Panyarachun.Two of the five junta commanders who ousted Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan's 21/2-year-old government in a bloodless coup Feb. 23 now occupy central positions in the Cabinet.
Deputy army chief Gen. Issarapong Noonpakdee became interior minister and navy chief Adm. Praphat Krisanachan defense minister.