New PM Works In Government House Today

[Jai Dee]

PM works in the Government House today

The newly appointed Prime Minister, Gen. Surayud Chulanon, assigned his close military officer, Gen. Phongthep Tetprateep, to pay homage to the sacred statue of the Government House on the first day of his administration. The US Ambassador to Thailand also met with the Prime Minister today.

At 8:30 AM, Gen. Phongthep, the acting Prime Minister’s Secretary-General and former aide-de-camp of the army, paid respect to the Brahma statue at Thai Ku Fah Building in the Government House. However, he refused to give interviews with the press members, reasoning that he has not been officially appointed yet. Gen. Phongthep, who is a close friend of Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, also refused to disclose whether Gen. Prem gave him any advice regarding his works.

Maj. Gen. Ninnat Biewkaimook, Prime Minister Surayud’s another close associate, stated that the premier was scheduled to pay a visit to the Buddhist supreme patriarch at Bovornnivet at 10 AM today. Later on, the US ambassador to Thailand along with the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with the Prime Minister before returning to the US.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 October 2006