Bangkok: King asks military to form government

In an official decree, King Bhumibol Adulyadej recognised the new military council and charged its leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, with forming a government.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – King Bhumibol Adulyadej, sovereign of Thailand, today officially appointed General Sonthi Boonyaratglin as leader of the military governing council.

The king also expressed his backing for the coup d'etat that the military executed two days ago.

The king's decision had already been announced but this morning the Royal Palace conferred an official mandate and the king's blessing on the military junta.

Dressed in white formal uniforms, Sonthi and other military leaders stood before a Buddhist shrine to the king and then they knelt and listened to an army officer read out a decree that formally recognized the new military governing council.

The decree was issued two days ago but issued today and broadcast on national television.

• Thailand
• government
• coup
• d'etat
• military
• downfall
• thaksin
• shinawatra
• military
• council
• king
• Bhumibol
• Adulyadej