Thai military council announces interim constitution

(1 Oct 2006)
1. TV graphic caption
2. Another TV graphic caption
3. Medium of two TV newsreaders seated behind desk
4. SOUNDBITE: (Thai) Thai TV Newsreader, Name unknown:
"King Bhumibol Adulyadej has endorsed the 2006 temporary constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, on first October 2006, during the 60th year of his reign."
ENDS
STORYLINE:
Thailand's ruling military announced on Sunday an interim constitution which was to be followed by the naming of a prime minister to head the country for the next year.
The announcement was made on television stations after Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand endorsed the document.
"King Bhumiphol Adulyadej has endorsed the 2006 temporary constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, on first October 2006, during the 60th year of his reign," the newsreader said.
The military abolished a 1997 constitution after seizing power from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup on 19 September.
The new rulers said the previous constitution had too many "loopholes" which allowed Thaksin and his government to abuse power and engage in widespread corruption.
Under the new interim constitution, the council gave itself the power to remove the incoming government's prime minister and Cabinet members, approve the selection of a National Assembly speaker, and have the final say on a 100-member committee that will write the next constitution.
The interim document also gives "complete immunity" to the coup leaders for overthrowing the government.
Colonel Akara Thiprot, a spokesman for the ruling military council, said the new prime minister would be announced later on Sunday.
It is widely believed to be former army commander General Surayud Chulanont, a respected retired officer who has served as a close adviser to the constitutional monarch.
The new government is expected to press ahead with investigations into alleged corruption by Thaksin and his government.
On Saturday, the council replaced an earlier committee to investigate and freeze assets of the former government with a high-powered twelve-member panel and also gave more authority to the National Counter Corruption Commission.
Thaksin, who is now residing in London, has been accused of corruption, abuse of power, attempting to destroy press freedom and mishandling a Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand.
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