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Thai king endorses coup leader

August 25, 2014

Thailand's revered king has officially endorsed the country's junta leader as prime minister, cementing the military's grip on power. Human Rights Watch called the move "a dark day for democracy."

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Thailand Premierminister Prayuth Chan-Ocha 25.08.2014
Image: Reuters/Thailand Government House

General Prayuth Chan-ocha (pictured) was inaugurated on Monday as Thailand's new prime minister, after accepting a written endorsement from King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Kneeling and bowing before a portrait of the king, Prayut accepted the 86-year-old monarch's blessing during a brief ceremony.

"His majesty the king has appointed me prime minister," the general said. "I am extremely grateful…this is a great honor for me and my family."

"I will work with honesty and for the benefit of people and the nation," he continued.

Prayuth was nominated for the premiership by the junta-appointed parliament last week. He was the only candidate in the running. Prayuth is expected to appoint a cabinet in September.

The 60-year-old general will continue leading the military until his term as army chief ends this fall.

"As both prime minister and junta leader, Gen. Prayuth can wield broad power without accountability," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). "This marks a dark day for human rights and the future of democracy in Thailand."

'Road to dictatorship'

Last May, Prayuth led a military coup against Thailand's democratically elected prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. The coup was ostensibly meant to restore stability, after months of popular protests against Shinawatra had turned violent and paralyzed the country. Nearly 30 people died in the unrest and hundreds more were wounded.

The junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has imposed martial law, banned protests and ruled out democratic elections before October of 2015. Thailand's king approved an interim constitution in July that endorsed the military takeover.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed concern about the number of arrests and tough sentences imposed by the junta for defaming Thailand's monarchy.

"Since the May coup, the generals have tightened rather than relaxed their grip on power," Adams said. "Instead of the promised path back to democracy through free and fair elections, Thailand's military seems to be opting for a road to dictatorship."

slk/msh (AP, AFP)