Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej today endorsed a coup leader to head the new governing council, according to a televised announcement."In order to create peace in the country, the king appoints General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin as head of the council of administrative reform," according to the announcement on state-run television."All people should remain peaceful and civil servants should listen to order from General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin from now on." The king's endorsement is widely seen as giving legitimacy to the new Council of Administrative Reform.Update at 1300 hrs:Pridayadhorn Devakula, Governor of Bank of Thailand, is said to be the leading candidate to assume care-taker Prime Minister's post following the military ouster of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a local newspaper reported.Devakula has accepted the offer to become Prime Minister. A formal announcement is likely later today.Thaksin was overthrown by a military coup last night led by Army Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.
