Thai king supports coup
2006-09-22 12:37
Bangkok - Thailand's revered king gave his royal blessing on Friday to the country's new military leadership, as the junta forged ahead with a purge of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government.
In a ceremony broadcast on national television, coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin stood before a shrine to King Bhumibol Adulyadej while an army officer read out a royal decree recognising him as the head of a new military governing council.
In white dress uniform, Sonthi - flanked by other officers - kneeled and bowed before a portrait of the king above the flower-bedecked shrine.
Analysts say royal support for the coup is the main reason why there has been no violence. Soldiers patrolling the streets have tied yellow ribbons on their weapons out of respect for the king.
Purge of Thaksin's government
As Thaksin, in refuge in London, appeared to accept his fate by saying he was taking a "rest" from politics, the military detained or sacked key aides and stepped up a probe into corruption charges against his family.
In the past 24 hours they have installed the army security chief as the new head of national intelligence and sacked three other top officials considered loyal to Thaksin.
Four other senior allies, including his top deputy and two ministers, are "under the care" of the new leadership.
However the auditor general remains in position, allowing her to conclude a corruption probe against the toppled billionaire.
Interim premier in two weeks
Sonthi has promised new elections for October 2007, saying he would resign from power in two weeks and hand over to an interim premier.
Among those reportedly considered for the post are Supachai Panitchpakdi, former head of the World Trade Organisation and chairperson of the UN conference on trade and development.
Other names include the president of the Supreme Court, one of the king's top advisers, and the governor of the Bank of Thailand.
Martial law
So far the junta has imposed martial law, banned political activities and public gatherings, annulled the constitution and slapped restrictions on the media. It has also assumed legislative powers after dismissing parliament.