Myanmar regime sacks PM

BANGKOK, Thailand, OCTOBER 19 (AGENCIES) — Myanmar's secretive military regime has forced out its prime minister, the long-powerful Gen. Khin Nyunt, and placed him under house arrest on corruption charges, the leader of neighboring Thailand said Tuesday.

The removal of Khin Nyunt could tilt the balance of power within the junta toward harder-line generals and further delay the stalled reconciliation process with the opposition led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

"Khin Nyunt was removed from his position, but Myanmar has not yet made an official announcement," Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told reporters.

Thaksin said he knew who would become Myanmar's next prime minister, but would not reveal the name until it is officially announced. But he said the next prime minister would come from the inner circle of Senior Gen. Than Shwe, the head of Myanmar's ruling junta