Bangkok  - Thailand's new Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, kept the country guessing Monday, not yet making an expected cabinet announcement.

Somchai said the cabinet line-up was complete, but he would not name ministers until the secretariat of the cabinet examined all the proposed minister's qualifications.

Only then would the list be submitted to King Bhumibol Adulyadej for royal approval.

Under Thailand's constitutional monarchy the appointments are not official until approved by King Bhumibol, who is head of state.

Somchai would not say if he planned also to serve as defence minister, as had former prime minister Samak Sundaravey who resigned earlier this month.

All six parties in the coalition government submitted few names for cabinet posts than their quotas, Somchai said.

The leader of one of those parties, Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa, told local media Monday that there were no major changes with the post his party would have and that would make for an easier transition.

Somchai, 61, was appointed last Thursday after Samak lost his post on September 9 when the constitution court found him guilty of moonlighting by hosting television cooking shows. (dpa)