JURIST - Paper Chase: New Thailand constitution gives military leaders 'security' role in government

[JURIST] Thailand's new military leadership, which seized power [JURIST report] in a coup last week, said Tuesday that a temporary constitution has been drafted that appoints the military rulers as advisers to any interim government. Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin [BBC profile] said the document will be submitted to academics for their review and then given to King Bhumibol Adulyadej [profile] on Sunday for his anticipated approval [JURIST report]. The draft constitution calls for the military leadership to form a National Security Council, which will offer advice to the new government regarding security issues.

Sonthi said his regime wants a constitution that will hold future leaders of Thailand [JURIST news archive] more accountable, a main focus of the military council which has already empowered several panels to investigate alleged wrongdoing by ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [BBC profile]. Sonthi also said the newly named prime minister would be announced after the king's approval of the draft and would have the power to select a 35-member cabinet. AP has more.

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