Thai military transfers 24 officials to inactive positions

The Thai military announced the transfer of 24 more officials to inactive positions and also set out the eight-point plan for national administration, media reported Wednesday.

The officials, including eight provincial governors and 16 senior police officers, will be sent to the interior ministry and the national police headquarters, Xinhua reported.

Transfers of provincial governors are scheduled to be applied from June 2, while police transfers took effect immediately after the issue of the announcement Tuesday night.

Thai coup leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, also the leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has set out eight measures to promote national unity by stamping out colour-coded political and social divisions, targeting national reform.

Promoting national unity is a part of NCPO's plan to end the country's political conflict, and the first step of the plan is to take control of national administration, deputy army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said.

Enacting an interim constitution, forming an interim government, establishing a national reform assembly and legislative assembly are among the steps, while holding elections after reform is the final one, Winthai said.

The NCPO has assured that it will only oversee national administration and follow through on the work of state agencies without disrupting the normal way they work, Winthai said, adding that the NCPO has appointed six advisors on five issues, with former defence minister general Prawit Wongsuwan leading the team.

Retired General Anupong Paochinda will oversee security measures, former finance minister Somkid Jatusripitak foreign affairs, ex-Bank of Thailand governor Pridiyathorn Devakula and ex- commerce minister Narongchai Akrasanee will focus on economy, while ex-secretary-general to the Cabinet Wissanu Krea-ngam will oversee legal affairs.