Thai junta defends strong powers under new charter

BANGKOK, July 23 (AP): A new temporary constitution gives Thailand's military government sweeping powers in the run-up to a planned 2015 election, and a senior army official says the junta leader could serve as interim premier.

Thailand adopted the charter following the May 22 coup to allow an interim legislature and Cabinet to begin governing the country in tandem with the military.

The charter gives the junta almost supreme authority over politics, although Wissanu Krea-ngam, a legal adviser to the military, said Wednesday that the junta will handle only peacekeeping and security matters.