TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The temporary charter of Thailand, which was ratified by King Bhumibol Adulyadej last Tuesday, gave full power to the Thailand military junta. The constitution also gives junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha, power to act as the interim prime minister.
It seems that General Prayuth will be leading the government until next year when the election will be held. The junta's legal advisor Wissanu Krea-ngam said that the decision is entirely up to the National Constitution Tribunal. He also said that the constitution allows for such decision to be made, but whether he is chosen or not will depend on the decision of the National Legislative Tribunal.
The military gained control over the country on May 22, 2014, after a long political standoff. Protestors have pushed for months, forcing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down from power.
General Paiboon Koomchaya, who is in charge of legal affairs for the junta, asserted that Prayuth could lead the country perfectly.
"I don't see he has any flaws in performing his duties. As of now he is already performing the duties of a prime minister. For the past two months, he has been sitting at the head of the table at every meeting and the administration of the country has gone smoothly during these two months," Paiboon said.
Ambika Ahuja, a specialist on Thailand from Eurasia Group, a New York-based political risk consultancy, believed that Prayuth would retain control of the government either as prime minister or defense minister. Another possibility is that Prayuth will remain as military Chief of Staff until his retirement in October 2014. Later, it is believed that former military chief Prawit Wongsuwan will be promoted as Prime minister.
The military will remain in charge of national security alongside the upcoming provisional government. The martial law, imposed on May 22, would remain in force.
Ambika said the temporary charter gave the army effective control of Thailand's constitutional and electoral reform. It excluded people who had recently been in political parties from becoming prime minister, cabinet members or even members of the provisional parliament.
REUTERS | ABCNEWS
