Ban to reappoint Supachai as head of U.N. trade body

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced on Wednesday he intends to reappoint Supachai Panitchpakdi as the head of the U.N. trade body.

Supachai's current term in charge of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, or UNCTAD, expires on August 31.

"The secretary-general has informed the General Assembly of his intention to confirm Mr Supachai Panitchpakdi," for a further four-year term starting September 1, 2009, Ban's spokeswoman told reporters.

Supachai, a Thai national, was director-general of the World Trade Organisation from September 2002 to August 2005. He also served as Thailand's deputy prime minister and minister of commerce.

(Reporting by Daniel Bases)