Kate Hodal
London Guardian
May 26, 2014
Thailand’s king has endorsed the army chief who seized power in a
coup last week, amid widespread international criticism and increasing
detention of those considered to be opposed to the takeover.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha told journalists on Monday morning that the
much revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 86, had officially backed him as
the leader of the military council now running the country.
Prayuth seized power on Thursday after six months of political
in-fighting between the now-deposed government and its critics, who had
taken to the streets and besieged government buildings in an effort to
oust it. At least 28 people were killed and more than 700 injured in
sometimes violent clashes after anti-government protests began in
November.
Vowing to restore order across Thailand, Prayuth said he would have
no choice but to use violence if anti-coup demonstrators, who over the
past four days have taken to the streets in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and
Pattaya, continued to protest.
Full article here
