Gen Prem appointed president of the new King’s Privy Council
HIS Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday appointed Gen Prem Tinsulanonda as president of his Privy Council, effective immediately.
Prem had served as Regent pro tempore after the death of King Bhumibol in mid-October. He resigned as President of the Privy Council for the late King |yesterday. His re-appointment for the new monarch was announced on TV Pool last night.
Meanwhile, government heads will meet with officials from key state agencies on Tuesday to detail new state procedures and practices in relation to King Rama X’s ascension to the throne, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said.
For the public, the government’s situation monitoring centre will hold a meeting to come up with new guidelines and announce them, the deputy prime minister said. Wissanu said there would be changes to at least three national holidays, but the issue had not yet been decided. However, he noted that there would not be a great impact on people.
With regard to royal pardons following the new reign, Wissanu said the issue required further deliberation and related agencies would propose the matter to the government.
Wissanu declined to elaborate further, saying it concerned various conditions, not just the King’s power.
Wissanu said under the constitution, Privy Council members vacate their positions upon their death, resignation, or at the King’s will.
HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn succeeded to the throne on Thursday.