Gen. Winai Phattiyakul, secretary general of the Council for Democratic
Reform (CDR) of Thailand, said an interim constitution had been submitted to the
King for royal approval while the military council will transform itself into
the Council for National Security from Monday.
Winai said the interim charter had been submitted to the King separately from
the list of this year's military reshuffle for royal approval, the Thai News
Agency reported Saturday.
He was quoted as saying that the name of the interim prime minister as well
as his cabinet ministers would be announced after the royal approval on interim
charter is made.
Effective next Monday, the CDR will be known as the Council for National
Security and become the caretaker of the interim government until a new
government is formed after a general election, he said.
Since the military leaders promised to step aside and let civilians run the
country after two weeks following the Sept. 19 coup, the CDR will be responsible
for considering urgent matters only, said Winai, who is also the new defense
permanent secretary.
The CDR which has seized power in a bloodless coup d'etat on Sept. 19 is
likely to appoint Privy Councilor Gen. Surayud Chulanont as interim prime
minister, said the Thai News Agency. Before he retired, Surayud was supreme
commander of Thailand's armed forces.
