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Thai coup general quits position Thai coup general joins cabinet
(2 days later)
The general heading the military council which has effectively run Thailand since a bloodless coup last year has stepped down from his post. The leader of last year's bloodless coup in Thailand has been installed as the country's deputy prime minister.
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 quit his military posts in recent weeks, will take charge of national security as one of three deputy PMs.
Government officials said he had agreed to take up the post of deputy prime minister, overseeing internal security. Some analysts believe Gen Sonthi intends to run for prime minister in elections scheduled for December - although he says he has not decided.
The general is said to be close to the revered King, Bhumibol Adulyadej. He helped to depose former leader Thaksin Shinawatra last September.
PM's job? 'More focused'
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. Gen Sonthi took up his new post on Tuesday, after resigning as army chief and head of the powerful Council for National Security (CNS).
The current premier, retired general Surayud Chulanont, has faced criticism over his performance. Moving to allay suggestions that the military was determined to hold on to power, he told reporters: "I can't avoid this responsibility to tackle the problems the country is facing now.
The head of Thailand's air force, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, has taken over as the new head of the military, a spokesman says. "This new role will give me an opportunity to do real work, much more focused than the role as the chairman of the CNS."
The military seized control, accusing the twice-elected Mr Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power. Current Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who is also a retired general, has been under pressure to quit after five members of his cabinet resigned over a probe into their business interests.
The coup leaders formed a seven-member Council for National Security, whose agenda included a timetable for the restoration of a civilian government and elections. But in a televised address on Tuesday, he vowed to guide the country through to the elections, due to take place on 23 December.
It also maintained substantial powers over the drafting of a new constitution. The military seized control of Thailand last year, accusing the twice-elected Mr Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power.
The coup leaders formed the seven-member CNS, whose agenda included a timetable for the restoration of a civilian government and elections.
The council also maintained substantial powers over the drafting of a new constitution.