BANGKOK (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha today called a meeting of his new cabinet immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.
The National Council for Peace and Order was terminated today. Gen Prayut yesterday delivered a speech via the TV Pool of Thailand to thank all sectors for their cooperation over the last five years.
The prime minister and NCPO chairman cited the royal appointments of him as prime minister and of his cabinet ministers as the first government following the March 24 election.
However, the new government is yet to attend a policy debate in parliament before it begins work.
Upon today’s swearing-in ceremony for the new government before His Majesty the King, the old one and the NCPO are terminated.
As head of the NCPO and the former government, Gen Prayut thanked the people, public and private sectors for their cooperation with the NCPO and government in measures to solve social and economic problems.
He said Thailand is now under democratic rule with a constitutional monarchy and the House of Representatives.
The premier confirmed that a cabinet meeting immediately followed today’s audience with His Majesty the King for the swearing-in ceremony.
The meeting was designed for cabinet ministers to learn of protocols and government policy matters. He said the new government is carrying out the tasks of the old one.
Meanwhile, the PM commented that the policy statement to be delivered and debated in parliament on July 25 is not a censure debate.
It remains to be seen how many days it may take for legislators to debate the government’s policy statement, pending consideration in parliament. The premier said he supports amendments to the constitution, some sections of which might be controversial.