Thailand’s King OKs Interim Constitution

King Bhumibol Adulyadej approved an interim constitution Friday that gives the military junta sweeping powers to oversee the country prior to a return to civilian rule.

The junta, which overthrew Premier Chatichai Choonhavan’s elected government last Saturday, announced a provisional constitution that pledges to hold elections by the end of the year.

Approval of the document, which replaces the 1978 constitution that the junta abolished, is the first step toward forming what the junta insists will be a largely civilian provisional government.

The interim document gives the junta the power to “do anything” necessary for “preventing, curbing or suppressing acts which damage peace or national security, the throne or the country’s economy.”

It also declares the coup that overthrew Chatichai was “lawful.” It gives the junta the authority to make national policy, along with the provisional Cabinet, and establishes the junta leader’s dominance over the Cabinet.

A 33-article document says the provisional government is to call elections this year. But a permanent constitution must be drafted first, and if this delays an election, then balloting can be held up to 120 days beyond the end of the year.

The document also empowers Thailand’s king to appoint an interim prime minister, but his choice must be approved by the junta leader.

Gen. Sunthorn Kongsompong, the armed forces commander who led Saturday’s coup and is the junta leader, has accused Chatichai of corruption, protecting enemies of the monarchy and trying to undermine the military.

During a signing ceremony Friday, a royal scribe brought the constitution to Sunthorn at army headquarters, where he placed it on a platform with the king’s portrait. Sunthorn and other junta leaders then bowed before the platform.

Saturday’s bloodless takeover was the ninth successful coup in Thailand’s six decades as a constitutional monarchy dominated by the military.