This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5396208.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Thailand military appoints new PM Thailand prime minister sworn in
(about 3 hours later)
The leaders of last month's military coup in Thailand have announced army officer General Surayud Chulanont as the country's new prime minister. General Surayud Chulanont has been sworn in as the new prime minister of Thailand in a brief ceremony in the capital Bangkok.
A ceremony to swear him in as Thailand's new leader was expected to take place later on Sunday. It came hours after the announcement the former army commander would be the new interim head of the country.
The announcement came after the military regime said it would draw up a new constitution. During the ceremony at Government House he was sworn in by the coup leader General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin to represent Thailand's King Bhumibol.
The military unveiled the new constitution on television, saying King Bhumibol had endorsed it. He said: "The king has appointed him to administer the country from now on."
The military regime is expected to hold substantial powers until the country's next elections, which have been promised for October 2007.
Army officers took over the country after a bloodless coup on 19 September.Army officers took over the country after a bloodless coup on 19 September.
Coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin was quoted on news agency Reuters saying: "On the 28th [September] I went to his [Gen Chulanont] house and spent half an hour convincing him to take the job while the country is in crisis. He has agreed to take it." The military also unveiled the new constitution on television, saying the king had endorsed it.
Surayud Chulanont, 62, is an army veteran, and one of the few senior Thai figures who is respected by military and civilian leaders alike. Bloodless coup
By choosing him as the country's new prime minister, Thailand's military may hope to quieten international fears. The military regime is expected to hold substantial powers until the country's next elections, which have been promised for October 2007.
New elections Gen Sonthi was quoted on news agency Reuters saying: "On the 28th [September] I went to his [Gen Chulanont] house and spent half an hour convincing him to take the job while the country is in crisis. He has agreed to take it."
Gen Surayud, 62, is an army veteran, and one of the few senior Thai figures who is respected by military and civilian leaders alike.
By choosing him as the country's new prime minister, Thailand's military may hope to allay international fears.
The coup leaders had said the military had to overthrow the former government to stop systematic corruption from the regime of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.The coup leaders had said the military had to overthrow the former government to stop systematic corruption from the regime of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The coup took place to stamp out corruption, the junta says
Mr Thaksin, who came to power in 2001, had proved a controversial and divisive leader.Mr Thaksin, who came to power in 2001, had proved a controversial and divisive leader.
Poorer voters had liked his offers of cheap medical care and debt relief, his nationalist platform and his contempt for the "Bangkok elite" in politics. He also won respect for his handling of the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and policies which lead to an economic boom.Poorer voters had liked his offers of cheap medical care and debt relief, his nationalist platform and his contempt for the "Bangkok elite" in politics. He also won respect for his handling of the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and policies which lead to an economic boom.
Mounting protests earlier this year undermined his position.Mounting protests earlier this year undermined his position.
But it was his easy victory in April's general election - subsequently declared invalid - that may have prompted the generals to act.But it was his easy victory in April's general election - subsequently declared invalid - that may have prompted the generals to act.