Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha
(Photo: Reuters)

(VOVworld) – Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday appointed Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha as the new military government leader. The royal decree said that the endorsement of Prayouth as head of the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) will restore Thailand’s peace, order, and solidarity.

Following the King’s approval, Prayuth promised to soon resolve current problems to bring Thailand back to democracy and said he would appoint an interim prime minister and cabinet but didn’t detail the time period. He called for public sympathy for the coup and pledged the council’s concerted efforts to stabilize the situation.

Thai media reported on Monday that former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, and several other political figures were released on Sunday.