Thailand: Military Rule Ends, New Gov't Assumes Charge

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – The military rule in Thailand Tuesday formally came to an end after the civilian government led by former general Prayut Chan-o-cha was sworn-in by the country's king.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn swore-in Prayut, who was royally appointed Prime Minister on June 11, and his cabinet this evening at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall in Bangkok, daily Bangkok Post reported.

Prayut, a former Thai army general, led the infamous military coup in 2014 May and ruled over the Buddhist-majority country through controversial National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

"The key political consequence of the ceremony is the National Council for Peace and Order, which ruled the country for five years, ceased to exist once the cabinet was sworn in," the daily said.

After Vajiralongkorn appointed Prayut as premier of the country, he had repealed almost 66 of some 200 orders issued under NCPO since 2014.

"The monarch asked the cabinet to work for the country and people and all cabinet ministers would do their best," the report said.

Prayut is leading a coalition of 19 parties. Thai parliament has 750 members -- 250 in upper house and 500 in lower house.

"The country can't stop no matter what problems arise. We must find ways to tackle them, put an end to problems deemed unnecessary and promote unity among the people. Our ultimate goal is the nation, religions, the monarch and the public. People are pinning their hopes on the government," said Gen. Prayut after chairing first cabinet meet of the new government.

The new government is scheduled to deliver a policy statement before the lower house of Thai parliament which will resume on July 25 and will last for three days.



Thailand is a constitutional monarchy since 1932. -