Retired army commander sworn in as Thailand`s new prime minister[/size:cbffc0301b">
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Retired army commander Gen. Surayud
Chulanont was sworn in Sunday as Thailand`s interim prime minister
following the announcement of a temporary constitution which
reserved considerable powers for Thailand`s military coup makers.
The announcement, following his endorsement by King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, was widely expected. The Cabinet is expected to be
announced later this week.
The 63-year-old Surayud, who spent 40-years in the military, is
seen as someone who could help stabilize the political situation
following the Sept. 19 coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra.
`Gen. Surayud has been trusted to become a new prime minister,`
coup leader Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, said, reading from a royal
command. `The king has appointed him to administer the country from
now on.`
Surayud, dressed in a white military uniform and accompanied by
his wife, stood at attention alongside six other coup leaders at
Government House in the Thai capital. A wall-sized portrait of the
king hung behind them.
During his military career, Surayud earned praise for his deft
handling of the sensitive border with Cambodia during the 1980s and
upon his appointment as army commander engineered a major
restructuring of the military, increasing professionalism and
keeping officers out of politics.
วันที่: 01/10/2006 @ 20:52:51