Thai king endorses junta leader as prime minister

FE Team | Published: August 26, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

BANGKOK, Aug 25 (agencies): Thailand's coup leader was formally endorsed as prime minister by the nation's revered king  Monday, in a step towards forming a government to oversee sweeping reforms in the politically turbulent kingdom.
Army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, 60, who ousted an elected government in a bloodless power grab on May 22, was chosen uncontested as premier last week by a national assembly made up mainly of military figures.
In a brief but elaborate ceremony to receive the royal command, Prayut-wearing a white official uniform-knelt and bowed in front of a large portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
"His majesty the king has appointed me prime minister. I am extremely grateful... this is a great honour for me and my family," Prayut said after the ceremony.
"I will work with honesty and for the benefit of people and the nation," he added.
The top general, who was endorsed as premier on Sunday but was officially given the royal command a day later, will also remain head of the junta as the military appears to tighten its grip on power.
Prayuth was appointed prime minister on Thursday by 191 out of 197 members of the military-dominated national assembly. He was the sole candidate for the post.
Approval from King Bhumibol Adulyadej is a formality. The interim government will be set up in the coming weeks, although power will remain firmly in the junta's hands.
"His Majesty the King has endorsed General Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister to govern the country from this day onwards," the Royal Gazette said in a statement published on its official website on Monday.
Prayuth is expected to take part in a royal endorsement ceremony at the army's Bangkok headquarters later on Monday.
He led a May 22 coup, which the military said was necessary to avoid further bloodshed after months of turbulence pitting protesters, including the urban elite and southern Thais, against supporters of ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Prayuth, who is due to retire as army chief in September, moved quickly to silence dissent and deployed troops to quell protests in the weeks after the coup.
The junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order, has tried to sell a positive story and has pointed to modest improvements in the economy and consumer confidence since the takeover.
Southeast Asia's second-largest economy avoided recession in the second quarter of the year but the tentative recovery is some way from matching the government spin.