Thai junta chief gets royal nod, threatens protesters

Thailand's coup leader received royal endorsement to lead the politically divided kingdom today and quickly threatened to crack down on any further agitation after a weekend of angry protests.

The palace officially appointed army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha as leader of a military junta that has deposed the government and assumed extensive powers in the Southeast Asian nation of 67 million.

"To restore peace and order in the country and for the sake of unity, the king appointed General Prayut Chan-O-Cha as head of the National Council of Peace and Order to run the country," according to a royal command, referring to the military council set up as the country's all-powerful ruling force.

The constitutional monarchy headed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 86, commands great respect among many Thais and the king's blessing has traditionally been a key step in legitimising the country's recurring military takeovers.

The latest coup has triggered a small but growing backlash on the streets, with more than 1,000 anti-coup demonstrators marching through Bangkok yesterday.

Dozens of protesters faced off against lines of armed soldiers. Scuffles broke out and at least two demonstrators were taken away by troops, one bleeding.

Shortly after getting the royal nod, Prayut, 60, held his first press conference as junta head and threatened to "intensify law enforcement" against anti-coup protesters who have pledged to rally in Bangkok again today.

He also warned that demonstrators could be tried in tough military courts.

The junta has detained former premier Yingluck Shinawatra along with about 200 ousted government leaders, political figures, critics and academics in a sweeping roundup since the coup, which has drawn sharp international criticism.

An army commander indicated Yingluck remained under military control, but declined to reveal her whereabouts.