New Constitution In Effect Following HM King's Endorsement

BANGKOK — The new constitution of Thailand – the Kingdom's 19th – is now in effect following His Majesty the King's royal endorsement.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, chairman of the military junta, was granted an audience by King Bhumipol this evening at his seaside residence, Klai Kangwon Palace, in Prachuap Kiri Khan province.

Per tradition, no reporters were allowed to observe the ceremony, in which the monarch handed a signed copy of the interim charter to the junta leader.

Col. Sirichan Nga-thong, a spokesperson for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said the new constitution is effective immediately.

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According to a statement by the NCPO, the new charter will be enforced by an interim government, which will consist of 220-person National Legislature Assembly, who will appoint a new Prime Minister and Cabinet. There will also be 250-person Reform Council and 35-member committee tasked with drafting a new permanent constitution. 

Elections are scheduled to take place at the end of 2015 if conditions are stable and the new government has accomplished "reconciliation," the NCPO said.

Gen. Prayuth is expected to address the nation about the new charter tomorrow at 10 am. 

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