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Thai general sets 'PM deadline' Thai general sets 'PM deadline'
(20 minutes later)
The leader of the military coup in Thailand has said a new prime minister would be named within two weeks.The leader of the military coup in Thailand has said a new prime minister would be named within two weeks.
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin told a news conference that new elections would take place in a year's time, once a new constitution had been written.Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin told a news conference that new elections would take place in a year's time, once a new constitution had been written.
He denied Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej had anything to do with the coup that saw tanks rolling into Bangkok late on Tuesday.
He warned that ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra could face charges.He warned that ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra could face charges.
Gen Sonthi claimed he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people. He denied Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej had anything to do with the bloodless coup that saw tanks rolling into Bangkok late on Tuesday.
In the news conference, Gen Sonthi again blamed government mismanagement for forcing coup leaders to act. Martial law was declared, and large gatherings of people and critical news reporting banned.
The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy.
So far, reporters in Thailand say the atmosphere remains calm and no outbreaks of voilence have been reported.
New constitution
In the news conference on Wednesday evening, Gen Sonthi claimed he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, blaming government mismanagement for forcing coup leaders to act.
But he denied the military wanted a permanent hold on power, attempting to reassure his audience by putting a deadline on how long he would remain in power.But he denied the military wanted a permanent hold on power, attempting to reassure his audience by putting a deadline on how long he would remain in power.
"We have two weeks. After two weeks, we will step out," he said."We have two weeks. After two weeks, we will step out," he said.
He said coup leaders were considering candidates to appoint as the new prime minister, who would rule until fresh elections in a year's time.He said coup leaders were considering candidates to appoint as the new prime minister, who would rule until fresh elections in a year's time.
In the interim, he said, a new national assembly would be appointed to draft a new, permanent constitution.In the interim, he said, a new national assembly would be appointed to draft a new, permanent constitution.
Mr Thaksin - who was in New York when the military made their move - was a "fellow countryman" who would be welcome to return to his homeland, Gen Sonthi said.
But he warned that Mr Thaksin, who has been accused of corruption, could face criminal charges "under the law, and depend[ing] on the evidence".