THAILAND: Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont holds first weekly cabinet meeting; new cabinet officially sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Royal Palace in Bangkok

Thailand's post-coup government is seeking a meeting with military leaders on lifting martial law three weeks after they overthrew an elected government, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on Tuesday (October 10). Surayud held its first weekly cabinet meeting with his 26 ministers at the government house to discuss on the plan to revoke martial law and flooding issued. To lift the martial law, Surayud said he needed to discuss it with the Council for National Security which might need some time. "We are aware of the people's liberty. We will discuss this issue (with the CNS). I think it may take some time (to lift martial law) until the situation become better," Surayud told reporters after a cabinet meeting. Surayud did not say when he would meet the Council for National Security (CNS) led by coup leader and army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the body the military leaders have transformed themselves into following the appointment of an interim civilian government pending a new constitution and elections. The United States and the European Union have called for an immediate revocation of the martial law, an end to a ban on political gatherings and a quick return to democratic government. Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and 26 ministers that make up the new cabinet were officially sworn in by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Royal Palace in Bangkok after a public announcement on Monday (October 9). The cabinet is expected work and govern Thailand for a year before elections will be held under a new constitution. During the swearing in ceremony, the King thanked the new cabinet members for assuming responsibility during this crisis. The Thai King, who is heavily revered in the country also urged the ministers to work with honesty and restore Thailand's battered image after last month's bloodless coup --he emphasised the need for the ministers to do their best for the country. "The country has come into crisis-- it needs you to perform your duties honestly and needs your best abilities because the country has now come into the crisis," said King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thailand's central bank governor Pridiyathorn Devakula was officially given the post of the Finance Minister. Retired army General Bunrod Somtad, a friend of Surayud is the new Defence Minister. Nitya Pibulsonggram, ex-ambassador to Washington and lead negotiator in stalled free talks with the United States is the Foreign Minister. Human rights groups and foreign governments are also likely to scrutinise Surayud's line-up for clues as to his democratic credentials. All eyes are waiting to see if he will work independently from coup leader and army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin. Under a stop-gap constitution which preserves the coup leaders as a Council for National Security, Sonthi retains the power to fire the government--but it remains to be seen how much sway he will have over Surayud, his former commanding officer.

ITN Source | October 10, 2006

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