Thai coup leader receives royal endorsement
Thailand's coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, formally received the endorsement of the nation's revered king in a ceremony today at army headquarters.
By Agencies |
BANGKOK: Thailand's coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, formally received the endorsement of the nation's revered king in a ceremony today at army headquarters.
Dressed in white formal uniforms, Sonthi and other army leaders stood before a shrine to King Bhumibol Adulyadej as an army officer read out a royal decree that recognised the general as the head of a new military governing council.
Sonthi then kneeled and bowed deeply before a portrait of the king above the shrine, which was filled with flowers offered to the 78-year-old monarch.
The decree formally endorsing Sonthi -- who met with Bhumibol immediately after seizing power late Tuesday -- was issued two days ago, but the ceremony was held early today and broadcast on national television.
Analysts say royal support for the military coup is the main reason why there has been no violence since Sonthi took power.
To reassure the public after the ouster of Thaksin, whom they accuse of corruption and abuse of power, the generals took over TV stations and broadcast footage of the king all night Tuesday.
Soldiers patrolling the streets of Bangkok have tied yellow ribbons on their weapons out of respect for the king.
Dressed in white formal uniforms, Sonthi and other army leaders stood before a shrine to King Bhumibol Adulyadej as an army officer read out a royal decree that recognised the general as the head of a new military governing council.
Sonthi then kneeled and bowed deeply before a portrait of the king above the shrine, which was filled with flowers offered to the 78-year-old monarch.
The decree formally endorsing Sonthi -- who met with Bhumibol immediately after seizing power late Tuesday -- was issued two days ago, but the ceremony was held early today and broadcast on national television.
Analysts say royal support for the military coup is the main reason why there has been no violence since Sonthi took power.
To reassure the public after the ouster of Thaksin, whom they accuse of corruption and abuse of power, the generals took over TV stations and broadcast footage of the king all night Tuesday.
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Soldiers patrolling the streets of Bangkok have tied yellow ribbons on their weapons out of respect for the king.
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