BANGKOK, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Speculation is swirling in Bangkok on Wednesday that the Thai cabinet is facing a reshuffle as support for government slumped following the New Year's Eve bombings, but Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont denied that such a plan is in hand.

    The rumors run by local media have held that some important cabinet posts, including Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula, who has been under gunfire by private sector for latest stringent capital control measures that plunged the local stock market and investor confidence, are soon to be replaced or filled in.

    Pridiyathorn, formerly the Bank of Thailand governor, will still sit at the office of deputy prime minister overseeing economic affairs, the reports said. He earlier has denied that he will be sacked as finance minister.

    Sources told Xinhua that the reshuffle is expected more on the level of ministerial secretary-general, who are normally responsible for executive work and the most powerful seat next to the minister and deputy minister.

    News network The Nation reported that veteran security expert Prasong Soonsiri claimed he had been approached to join the government as deputy PM for security affairs.

    Education Minister Wijit Srisaan said a deputy education minister would be appointed soon.

    However, Surayud was quoted by news network The Nation as denying a reshuffle is taking place soon. "Not yet. I have no plan for that, " Surayud was quoted as saying on Wednesday when responding to reporters.

    The Surayud cabinet, who became three months old this Monday, has suffered a drop in popularity almost by half as latest polls shown, following multiple bombings on the New Year's Eve in Bangkok and its suburb which left three dead and some 40 others injured. Lingering nightmares including the unabated insurgent violence in the deep south and anti-coup movements are also depressing the post-coup government.