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Thailand prime minister sworn in Thailand prime minister sworn in
(20 minutes later)
General Surayud Chulanont has been sworn in as the new prime minister of Thailand in a brief ceremony in the capital Bangkok. Retired General Surayud Chulanont has been sworn in as Thailand's interim prime minister in a brief ceremony in the capital, Bangkok.
It came hours after the announcement the former army commander would be the new interim head of the country. His government would focus on "people's happiness" above economic growth, he told reporters afterwards.
During the ceremony at Government House he was sworn in by the coup leader General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin to represent Thailand's King Bhumibol. He was sworn in by coup leader General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin.
He said: "The king has appointed him to administer the country from now on." The military also unveiled a short-term constitution under which they will maintain substantial powers until elections 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, ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The military also unveiled the new constitution on television, saying the king had endorsed it. The swearing-in ceremony for Gen Surayud, 62, came hours after the announcement the former army commander would be the new interim leader.
Bloodless coup "The king has appointed him to administer the country from now on," Gen Sondhi said during the ceremony at Government House.
The military regime is expected to hold substantial powers until the country's next elections, which have been promised for October 2007. Gen Surayud wore a white uniform for the ceremony and prostrated himself in front of a giant portrait of King Bhumibol as a sign of respect. He stood alongside six of the leading officers behind the coup.
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." A new cabinet is due to be chosen this week.
Gen Surayud, 62, is an army veteran, and one of the few senior Thai figures who is respected by military and civilian leaders alike. Respected
By choosing him as the country's new prime minister, Thailand's military may hope to allay international fears. Gen Sondhi was quoted on news agency Reuters saying he visited Gen Surayud on 28 September "and spent half an hour convincing him to take the job while the country is in crisis".
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. Gen Surayud is an army veteran, and one of the few senior Thai figures who is respected by military and civilian leaders alike.
The coup took place to stamp out corruption, the junta says By choosing him as prime minister, the military may hope to allay international fears.
Mr Thaksin, who came to power in 2001, had proved a controversial and divisive leader. The coup took place to stamp out corruption, the junta saysThe coup leaders say the military had to overthrow the former government to stop systematic corruption.
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. Mr Thaksin, who came to power in 2001, had proved a controversial and divisive prime minister.
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 led 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.