Thai central banker sacked

The government in Thailand has sacked the head of the country's central bank.

Thai officials say the decision to remove the bank governor, Chatumongkol Sonakul, was made at a cabinet meeting in Bangkok.

Last week Mr Chatumongkol publicly disagreed with a proposal put forward by the Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, to raise interest rates on bank deposits.

Correspondents say Mr Chatumongkol's dismissal could lead to volatility in financial markets, and raise fears of renewed economic instability.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service