BANGKOK, 26 August 2014 – Newly sworn-in prime minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday cut short his pleasantries with high-ranking state officials who attended his swear-in ceremony, telling them there was little time to spare as the nation’s problems were waiting to be solved.
Speaking after Gen. Prayuth was royally endorsed as Thailand’s 29th prime minister, National Council for Peace and Order deputy chief ACM Prajin Jantong explained that Gen. Prayuth had shortened his exchanges with officials at the ceremony and asked them to use the time available to address the country’s various pressing issues.
National Security Council Secretary-General Thawin Pliensi echoed ACM Prajin’s comment, saying Gen. Prayuth had told those at the ceremony that now was not the time for celebration.
Meanwhile, Bangkok police cautioned rally groups against staging demonstrations, especially around Government House, as martial law was still in effect. They warned that violators will be dealt with in the same manner as the ‘Energy Reform’ group that saw its members arrested after marching from Victory Monument to Chatuchak.
