King to approve Thai coup?

The Thai military announced that General Prayuth Chan-ocha would receive the endorsement of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday as head of a ruling military council.

The royal command ceremony, for which the king himself need not be present, is a significant formality in the Southeast Asian country. 86-year-old King Bhumipol is in bad health and may not be present at the ceremony. He has not yet made a statement on the coup.

Following the ceremony, General Prayuth was expected to give his first address to the nation since seizing power last week. A military statement said he was to outline his plans, including the proclamation of an interim constitution and the setting up of a legislative council.

The Thai military seized power last Thursday after six months of violent protests against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The Senate was then dissolved, the media were censored and critics of the military were arrested.

Yingluck, who was arrested along with several of her supporters, has since been permitted to go home under military supervision.

Early on Monday, Yingluck's main opponent, ex-laumaker Suthep Thaugsuban, who had led the demonsttations against her government, was also released.

Despite warnings, hundreds of protesters have voiced their opposition to the May 22 coup.

They have been gathering in Bangkok as well as in the north and northeast of the country, where the ousted government still has strong support.

rg/av (Reuters, AFP)