WITH the Constitutional Court having ordered Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to stop performing premiership duties until its ruling on his eight-year rule is delivered, he still remains the defence minister and was expected to preside over a meeting there this afternoon (August 25) but did not show up opting to do so via video conference, Matichon newspaper said.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has now become caretaker prime minister.
At noon an advance security team attached to Gen. Prayut had come to the Defence Ministry to prepare and wait for him. At 1 p.m. it was reported that he was about to leave his residence at the First Infantry Regiment barracks in a private car.
However by 1.30 p.m. Prayut’s convoy had not entered the ministry’s compound with it being reported that he had decided to preside over the Defence Council meeting via video conference.
This meeting was attended by all top military commanders and was to focus on various issues including global and regional security outlook and acknowledging internal and maritime security reports.
In addition the council was to approve personnel to serve in the interim UN Security Forces and a project to install and integrate information technology and communications systems at the old city moat and near the ministry.
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Top: The Defence Council’s video conference meeting today. Photo: Matichon
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