Coup Leaders Get 'official' Royal Endorsement

[Jai Dee]

Coup leaders get 'official' royal endorsement

Thailand's coup leaders on Friday received an official royal endorsement as the country's ruling junta in a ceremony broadcast on Thai television.

His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is head of state, on Wednesday informally endorsed coup leader and the Army's commander-in-chief, General Sonthi Boonyaratklin, as head of the junta.

On Friday, Sonthi and members of his Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy, as the junta has styled itself, received an official endorsement as the country's new rulers in a ceremony performed in front of a portrait of the king.

"For the sake of stability, we ask the people to be at ease and to obey the instructions of General Sonthi," according to a statement said to be from the king and delivered in a swearing-in ceremony for the junta although the monarch was not himself present.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[Jai Dee]

Thai king endorses coup

From correspondents in Bangkok, Thailand

THAILAND'S coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, formally received the endorsement of the nation's revered king in a ceremony at army headquarters today.

Dressed in white formal uniforms, Gen Sonthi and other military leaders stood before a shrine to King Bhumibol Adulyadej as an army officer read out a royal decree that formally recognised the general as the head of a new military governing council.

Gen Sonthi then kneeled and bowed deeply before a portrait of the king above the shrine, which was filled with flowers offered out of respect to the 78-year-old monarch.

The decree formally endorsing Gen Sonthi was issued two days ago, but the ceremony was held early today and broadcast on national television.

Source: NineMSN - September 22, 2006

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin causes division and destroy unity : Royal Order

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin Friday entered a ceremony to officially receive His Majesty's the King's endorsement of his leadership as leader of the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM).

In a ceremony broadcast on TV pool, Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin stood before a shrine to HM the King while Adjutant Generals Department's Adjutant Maj Gen Manote Premwongsiri read out the Royal Order.

"Gen Sonthi informed HM the King that Thaksin Shinawatra as the prime minister severe division within the nation and destroyed national unity. This is something that has never happened in the country's history," according to the order as it was read out.

Most people believes that his administration was plagued with irregularies and corruption. Political interventions on independent bodies were rampant under Thaksin's watch. These interventions have created conflict and division. Many parties have tried but failed to accommodate the matters.

Therefore, the armed forces, police and civilian have decided to seize advministrative power under the leadership of General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the head of the Council of Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy.

For the sake of peace and national unity, HM the King has issued the Royal Order for General Sonthi as the leader of the Council of Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy.

We urged the public to remain clam and we asked that all government civil servants support General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

In white uniform, Sonthi -- flanked by other officers -- kneeled and bowed before a portrait of the king above the flower-bedecked shrine.

Analysts say royal support for the coup is the main reason why there has been no violence. Soldiers patrolling the streets have tied yellow ribbons on their weapons out of respect for the king.

In white dress uniform, Sonthi -- flanked by other officers -- kneeled and bowed before a portrait of the king above the flower-bedecked shrine.

Source: The Nation - 22 September 2006