Thai military to act as interim government's advisor

The Thai military will act as "adviser" to an interim government so that the country will function in a prompt and effectual manner, a media report said Saturday.

Thai military chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha Friday said that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will help the interim government take forward the country's economic, social and political development schemes, Xinhua reported.

The interim government will be set up in September after the Thai military seized power from a civilian government in the May 22 coup.

Nevertheless, the military junta will continue to take charge of national security affairs while the interim government will run the country as a whole, Prayuth said.

Prayuth, who is scheduled to retire as army chief at the end of September, has not as yet confirmed or denied prevalent speculation that he himself might become head of the interim government.

He repeatedly called on the opposing sides of society to come to terms with each other and help put forward the country's development plans and schemes.

Apart from the interim government, a National Legislative Assembly and a Reform Council will also be set up for the formation of a "permanent" constitution and make comprehensive national reforms respectively, Prayuth Said.

The process for for the formation of the new constitution will at least take one-year after which a nationwide election will be held, Prayuth added.