USA Ambassador Visits New Prime Minister

BANGKOK, Oct 2 (TNA)

In a major step towards normalcy in a cooperative, rather than combative, Thai society, General Surayud Chulanont, Thailand's interim prime minister, began his first day in office at Government House on Monday, two weeks after military leaders staged a bloodless coup d'tat that brought him to power.

United States ambassador Ralph Boyce was among his first official visitors. They discussed the current political situation in Thailand.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the US envoy said the new Thai Prime Minister assured him that he would restore democracy to the kingdom as soon as possible, return civil liberties and rights to the public, and that the next general election will be held soon.

"We had a very good discussion," Mr. Boyce said. "I think it's very well known that the United States urged the speedy return to an elected government and the protection of civil liberties during the interval."

"The prime minister assured me that would be the case," the US diplomat said.

The 63-year old former army chief and privy councillor pledged on Sunday that he would work to unify a Thai society which is deeply split, with political problems and insurgency in the restive South as the most pressing issues to address.

The new premier said he would consider visiting the troubled region once the kingdom gets the new Cabinet.

Gen. Surayud told a press conference on Sunday that the new cabinet line-up would be chosen in a week.

Meanwhile, the tanks and troops that toppled the Thaksin Administration on September 19 putsch quietly returned to their barracks following the announcement of Thailand's 24th prime minister.

Gen. Surayud and his new cabinet are expected to run the country for one year before the completion of a new Constitution.

There are calls from some academics and NGO organisations for an earlier return to elective democracy, but it is not known yet whether or what attention the new prime minister will give to such advice.

The intended new constitution will set the stage--and the rules--for the next general election, probably in late 2007.

(TNA)-E001