Thai junta to share power with new government

Thailand's junta today said it would keep control of national security in a power sharing arrangement with a new interim government, ignoring international calls for complete return to civilian rule.
The junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), will remain in power along with a government that is set to be appointed by September, said army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led a May 22 coup that overthrew an elected government.
Prayuth, speaking during his weekly TV programme, said the interim charter will have 50 articles and will balance the power between the NCPO and the transitional government.

He admitted that the interim charter would have certain restrictions but did not elaborate, The Nation reported.
Prayuth said the interim charter would balance the power of the NCPO and the interim government.
He admitted that the provisional constitution would have some restrictions but the restrictions would still be necessary for solving the country's problems.

"If there are normal (democratic) solutions that are wanted by many sides put in place in the covenant, then problems cannot be solved. The NCPO needs an opportunity and the tools to work this all out," Prayuth said.
In the balance of power, the NCPO would remain in power to take care of security affairs while the government would be in charge of administering the country.

He said the occasional joint meetings will be held when necessary, with advice possibly given to the interim government by the NCPO with a view to its being put into action.
The army seized power on May 22 in a bloodless coup, overthrowing a government elected by a majority of voters three years ago.
Prayuth has said the coup was necessary to restore order after half a year of anti-government protests and political turmoil that left at least 28 people dead and the government paralysed.
Since the coup, several people have been detained in an apparent crackdown on dissent by the junta.

Supporters of the coup alleged that the ousted government of Yingluck Shinawatra was controlled by her brother Thaksin, who was prime minister until his removal by the military in 2006.
The Shinawatra family enjoys strong support in rural and northern areas, leading to their successive election wins.