The Administrative Reform Council(ARC), the martial authority which
declared a takeover of regime in Thailand after Tuesday's coup, announced the
King of Thailand's endorsement of coup commander Sonthi Boonyaratkalin as ARC
chief Wednesday, and this is seen by Thai media as confirmation that the council
had the situation under control.
No official confirmation from the Royal Household Bureau, which is in charge
of issuing decrees of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is available yet Thursday.
The council made the announcement Wednesday hours after Sonthi appeared on a
televised press conference with the rest of the five council members to assure
that an interim civilian government will be in shape in two weeks and
sovereignty returned to the people as soon as possible.
Sonthi also promised to draft a new constitution to facilitate a general
election by October 2007.
He said the council was now approaching experts in charter drafting, asking
them to help put in place a temporary administrative charter.
Once the new interim government is appointed, the interim prime minister will
take charge of political reform, which is expected to be completed in one year,
so that the general election could be called in October next year.
Sonthi said the ARC are now searching for a qualified person to be the new
prime minister. "We want a neutral one who embraces democracy with the
constitutional monarchy," said the army chief.
In Wednesday's press conference, Sonthi admitted caretaker Deputy Prime
Minister Chidchai Wannasathit of Thaksin's government was in the ARC's custody
by saying "We didn't arrest him. We just invited him to be with us, and he's
well taken care of in Bangkok."
