BANGKOK, Aug 21 — Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, unanimously elected as Thailand’s 29th prime minister early Thursday, said he was “not worried” about his new post.
Gen Prayuth said he believed the appointment of interim cabinet ministers could complete tasks in line with the roadmap drawn by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
NCPO leader and army chief Gen Prayuth told journalists that he was reluctant to answer questions posted by journalists now because he had not yet received a royal endorsement.
His remarks were made after he attended a function marking the 64th anniversary of the founding of the 21 Infantry Regiment in Chon Buri province, near Bangkok.
Gen Prayuth later boarded a helicopter with his wife Naraporn Chan-ocha and former army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and returned to Bangkok.
Meanwhile, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) chairman Porpetch Wichitcholchai said the concerned officials were expected to complete necessary documents and forward them to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary for Gen Prayuth’s royal endorsement as new prime minister “within today.”
After the royal approval is given, a maximum of 35 cabinet members would be appointed and the new cabinet will start working after they have given the oath of allegiance to His Majesty the King, said Mr Pornpetch.
He said although the current Provisional Constitution does not specify that the new interim government must present its policy to the Assembly, it is expected that the new administration would do so.
