Thai military to act as 'advisor' to interim government

According to Xinhua News Agency, Thai Army Commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha said on July 11 that the country's military will play an "advisory" role to the interim government to help Thailand run quickly and effectively.

In his weekly address broadcast nationwide on television and radio, Mr Prayuth confirmed that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the official name of the group of military leaders who seized power from the civilian government on May 22, would help the interim government, which he said would be formed next September, address various issues and push forward economic, social and political development plans.

Commander of the Thai Army, General Prayuth Chan-ocha

However, the military government will continue to handle national security matters while the interim government runs the country's general affairs.

“The NCPO and the interim government will hold meetings as needed. The NCPO will make recommendations for the interim government to consider and implement. We will mainly act as an advisor to the government,” he stressed. Without the NCPO’s “advice,” the interim government would not be able to run the country quickly and effectively, he said.

General Prayuth, who is scheduled to retire as army chief at the end of September, has neither confirmed nor denied widespread speculation that he could become head of the interim government.

The above comments by Mr. Prayuth followed a wave of criticism that the military might continue to hold power even under the name of an interim government./.

According to VNA