Thai Dy PM hospitalised due to chest pains

Somkid Jatusripitak is one of PM Thaksin's top Cabinet ministers and oversees economic portfolios.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak was hospitalised on Thursday with chest pains, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and hospital officials said.

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Somkid, also commerce minister, is one of Thaksin's top Cabinet ministers and oversees economic portfolios.

Thaksin went to Bangkok's Ramathibodi Hospital to see Somkid.

"He should be able to go home within two days," Thaksin told reporters. "It shouldn't be longer than two days. There were no complications. I will probably still have him look after economic issues."

Somkid is considered a possibility to fill in as prime minister should Thaksin step aside from his post. There is a growing campaign calling for Thaksin to resign due to alleged corruption and abuse of power.