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| Southeast Asia |
| Thai military rulers announce new PM and constitution |
| 2006-10-02 |
| Thailand's military rulers unveiled a stop-gap prime minister and constitution on Sunday, fulfilling a promise to step back in favour of civilians within two weeks of their coup against Thaksin Shinawatra. In other signs of the situation stabilising, the tanks that had stood outside Government House since the Sept 19 putsch rolled back to the barracks and four of Thaksin's most powerful ministers were released from army custody. Shortly after television stations announced the interim constitution, army chief and coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin confirmed that Surayud Chulanont, a retired general, would be prime minister under a gradual plan to restore democracy. "I went to his house and spent half an hour convincing him to take the job while the country is in crisis. He has agreed to take it," General Sonthi told reporters at a news conference. Later, at a ceremony at Government House, Sonthi read out a short statement confirming King Bhumibol Adulyadej's approval of Surayud as Thailand's 24th prime minister in 74 years of democracy. Surayud, 63, then announced that a new cabinet would be picked in a week. He said his government would focus on "people's happiness" above economic growth. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 He said his government would focus on "people's happiness" above economic growth. Oh Shit. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2006-10-02 20:16 |