Predee, 61, replaces Uttama Savanayana who resigned last month in a major shakeup of the economic team under Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Here are some facts and background on Predee.

* HE'S FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR. Predee was a co-president ofKasikornbank and former chairman of the Thai Bankers'Association. * HE'S A TRAINED LAWYER. Predee graduated with law degreesfrom Thammasat University and a master's degree in law from theUniversity of Illinois * HE WORKED AT THE SAME BANK FOR 38 YEARS. Predee joinedKasikornbank in 1982, working mainly in the legal and riskmanagement field for the lender. * HE SERVED AS A MILTARY-APPOINTED LAWMAKER. In October 2016Predee was appointed as a member of the National LegislativeAssembly, an appointed lawmaking body created by the militarygovernment under then junta leader Prayuth. * HE HAS ADVISED ON GOVERNMENT PROJECTS. In 2018, Predeeserved as an advisor to the policy committee on the EasternEconomic Corridor (EEC), an ambitious connectivity anddevelopment project launched by the then military government toboost growth and investment in Thailand's industrial east. * HE UNDERSTANDS THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND BUSINESS ISSUES,said Supant Mongkolsuthi, president of the Federation of ThaiIndustries. "On his working style, he will look deeply at thedetails in any matter and will do it carefully. * HE IS DESCRIBED AS "CONSERVATIVE AND SHARP", according toa Kasikornbank executive who has worked with Predee. "Althoughhis background is in risk and law, he adapted quite well when hewas promoted," said the person who declined to be named becausethey were not authorized to speak to media.

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Ed Davies)