Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana and three other ministers resigned on Thursday, paving the way for a cabinet reshuffle that Prayuth said would happen no later than next month.

The sudden changes in the economic team come at a critical time for Southeast Asia's worst-performing economy and add to uncertainty over policy-making as the country struggles to recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The central bank predicts the Thai economy will shrink by a record 8.1% this year.

Predee, 61, is currently co-president of Kasikorn Bank and chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association.

"I have asked and I am waiting for his answer," Prayuth told reporters when asked about Predee.

Predee did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

While Prayuth did not specify which cabinet position Predee would take, local media has widely tipped him to be given the finance portfolio.

Prayuth denied offering a post to the head of Thailand's state planning agency, Thosaporn Sirisumphand, who media has reported would replace economic policy czar Somkid Jatusripitak, who also resigned on Thursday.

Thosaporn has been linked to Somkid's Deputy Prime Minister role.

Thosaporn said on Friday he was still doing his job as head of the National Economic and Social Development Council and was supervising project spending under a 400 billion baht ($12.61 billion) borrowing plan.

"However, after my retirement, I'm very happy to support the work of the prime minister behind the scenes," he said.

Thailand is also searching for a new central bank governor to replace Veerathai Santiprabhob, whose term ends on Sept. 30. His successor will inherit interest rates near zero percent, a stubbornly strong currency and a mountain of household debt.

The selection committee was due to hold interviews next week, but its head said on Friday the process would be delayed.

($1 = 31.71 baht)

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Orathai Sriring, and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Orathai Sriring