Thailand gets post-coup Prime Minister

BANGKOK – Thailand’s military rulers unveiled a stop-gap prime minister and constitution yesterday, 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 September 19 coup 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.”We will concentrate on the self-sufficiency economy that His Majesty the King advocates,” he told a news conference.”We won’t concentrate so much on the GDP numbers.We would rather look into the indicators of people’s happiness and prosperity.”Under the new constitution, he is charged with keeping the country and economy ticking over while a panel of eminent Thais draws up a new long-term constitution.According to the generals’ “democracy roadmap”, this should take about nine months, at the end of which there will be a referendum and national elections.Nampa-ReutersShortly 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.”We will concentrate on the self-sufficiency economy that His Majesty the King advocates,” he told a news conference.”We won’t concentrate so much on the GDP numbers.We would rather look into the indicators of people’s happiness and prosperity.”Under the new constitution, he is charged with keeping the country and economy ticking over while a panel of eminent Thais draws up a new long-term constitution.According to the generals’ “democracy roadmap”, this should take about nine months, at the end of which there will be a referendum and national elections.Nampa-Reuters