General Army chief big decisions

THAILAND :  Junta chief faces big decisions as Prayuth need to retire as army chief before becoming interim PM.

National Council for Peace and Order has its legal panel to make a change to the proposed interim Charter to prevent overlap of power between the interim government and the NCPO.

 Its said if the NCPO's legal team is able solve legal complications arising from the power overlaping, the interim Cabinet is expected to be made up of three groups - military top brass who are NCPO members; people handpicked by NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and other NCPO leaders; and specialists such as technocrats.

Probably, Gen Prayuth will be the PM in the interim government to ensure the NCPO accomplishes its missions.

It is likely he extends his term as Army chief to have absolute power.

Under this scenario he would simultaneously hold three posts - PM, NCPO chief and Army chief.

If Prayuth becomes PM, will he continue to double as Army chief? Prayuth is due to retire as Army chief and Interim Cabinet is sure to be formed before 30 September. 

Prayuth will be retiring as Army chief and also stepping down as NCPO boss to allow the country's 29th prime minister to steer the country using the NCPO's roadmap to democracy.

This is the least likely scenario unless the NCPO amends the interim charter stipulate that the junta does not command the government.

Reform council would have to draw up national reforms in accordance with proposals from the Reconciliation Centre for Reforms, which is gathering information from villages across the country.

The council will also suggest a reform panel chaired by Defence secretary General Surasak Kanjanara.