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Military coup in Thailand

Thailand’s coup general elected as Prime Minister

The appointment envisages a formal approval procedure by the Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej

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Thai opposition leader accused of treason

BANGKOK, August 21. /ITAR-TASS/. Thailand’s interim National Legislative Assembly, formed by military government, has elected General Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister of the south-eastern Asian country on Thursday.

He was the only candidate for this post and gained more than half of votes. Elections were broadcast live on the state-run TV channel. The appointment envisages a formal approval procedure by King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

In late July, the monarch has approved a list of members of the provisional National Legislative Assembly. The line-up of the interim parliament was presented to the king by General Prayuth Chan-ocha who heads the National Council for Peace and Order ruling the country after a military coup on May 22.

On May 22, the civil government was ousted from power, Thai parliament upper house Senate was dissolved, the effect of the Constitution was suspended in a military state coup in the Southeast Asian nation. General Prayuth Chan-Ocha, commander of Thai ground troops, started ruling the country. Army actions became a response to anti-government protests which had not stopped in the kingdom since November 2013, he said.

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