PM Prayuth receives royal command

General Prayuth Chan-ocha officially became Thailand's 29th prime minister when he received the royal command this morning in a brief ceremony at Army Headquarters.

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General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand's 29th prime minister. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

PM Prayuth receives royal command

General Prayuth Chan-ocha officially became Thailand's 29th prime minister when he received the royal command this morning in a brief ceremony at Army Headquarters.

The ceremony began at approximately 10:39am and was televised nationwide.

The ceremony was also attended by National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) secretary-general Gen Udomdet Sitabutr who led key army leaders to congratulate the new premier.

The royal command designating General Prayuth Chan-ocha as the new prime minister as received by the president of the National Legislative Assembly.

Gen Prayuth is the first serving military officer to be prime minister since then-Gen Suchinda Krapayoon, who took office April 7, 1992. Gen Suchinda's term ended badly after only 47 days in office, after the Black May uprising threw him out and re-installed a democratic regime.

Later this week Gen Prayuth is expected to ask His Majesty the King to grant royal endorsement to his new cabinet.

Gen Prayuth is likely to take the post of defence minister, sources say.

Observers remain uncertain about whether Gen Prayuth then will resign as the army chief.

Gen Prayuth is set to retire from the army on Sept 30. Some believe he may appoint Gen Udomdet as acting army chief.

Gen Prayuth, also head of the NCPO, said Sunday he was ready for the job.

"I am ready to get tired,'' he said.

Story contains information from today's main story in the Bangkok  Post.

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