Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied a report that a list of new cabinet members had been submitted for royal endorsement.
He said that information for the list and submission process is still being verified.
"I have said there is a timeline. I have to meet the deadline and I have yet to make the proposal for royal endorsement. I have not submitted [a list]," he said.
He also denied media reports of government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat resigning, saying he had not received a resignation letter from her.
Ms Narumon was reportedly earmarked for the post of deputy labour minister. Some media reported she had resigned as spokeswoman effective from Thursday.
When asked whether the prime minister would lead the economic team himself, Gen Prayut said he has to take care of the economy overall.
Gen Prayut also insists he is in charge of the Royal Thai Police and would not transfer the agency to the control of his deputy Prawit Wongsuwon.
"He has a lot of work on his hands already," the PM said.
In a separate development, Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thepthai Senpong, proposed that if any minister representing the party gets under 50% in performance evaluation, he or she must be removed.
Earlier on Thursday, a source who had asked not to be named said the list of six names for seven cabinet positions had been submitted for royal endorsement.
The names purportedly submitted for royal approval were: Predee Daochai, former co-president of Kasikornbank (KBank) and chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association (for deputy prime minister and finance minister); Anucha Nakasai, secretary-general of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), (for PM's office minister); Anek Laothamatas, an executive of the Action Coalition for Thailand Party (for higher education, science, research and innovation minister); Supattanapong Punmeechaow, the former PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) director (for energy minister) and Suchart Chomklin, a Chon Buri MP and deputy leader of the PPRP (for labour minister) and Ms Narumon as his deputy.