Thailand: General Prem Tinsulanonda Named As Temporary Regent

BANGKOK, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda has been named as the temporary regent following Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's request for more time before ascending to the throne. The naming of Prem, who was also Thailand's Prime Minister from 1980 until 1988, was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam during a television interview late last night. Wissanu, who is in charge of legal affairs in the government, made the confirmation after National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vice-president Pornsak Porjit told the local media about Prem's appointment yesterday. Prem, 96, was also Thailand's former Army Chief and appointed to the powerful-council in 1988. On Thursday night, hours after the official announcement on the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-chan told the media about the Crown Prince's request for more time before ascending to the throne. Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, who had been designated as the heir to the throne since 1972 when he was 20 years old, wanted to mourn the passing of his father with the Thai people, the prime minister said. According to the Thai constitution, the cabinet will have to submit the name of the heir to the NLA for acknowledgement before the assembly invites the heir to step up to the throne to become the next Thai King. The longest-reigning monarch of Thailand died at 3.52pm at the Siriraj Hospital here after suffering ill-health for several years. King Bhumibol was 89 years old, according to the Royal Household Bureau. -- BERNAMA