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Thai coup general quits position | Thai coup general quits position |
(20 minutes later) | |
The general who has headed the military council which has effectively run Thailand since a bloodless coup last year has stepped down from his post. | The general who has headed the military council which has effectively run Thailand since a bloodless coup last year has stepped down from his post. |
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who helped depose former PM Thaksin Shinawatra last September, resigned as head of the Council for National Security. | Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who helped depose former PM Thaksin Shinawatra last September, resigned as head of the Council for National Security. |
Government officials said he had agreed to take up the post of deputy prime minister, overseeing internal security. | Government officials said he had agreed to take up the post of deputy prime minister, overseeing internal security. |
The general is said to be close to the revered King, Bhumibol Adulyadej. | |
Thailand's military-installed government has promised to hold elections in December and Gen Sonthi's move has prompted speculation that he is interested in becoming prime minister, correspondents say. | |
The head of Thailand's air force, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, has taken over as the new head of the military, a spokesman said. | |
The military seized control, accusing the twice-elected Mr Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power. | |
Former army chief Surayud Chulanont was installed as premier. |