Thai junta chief: Move is to allow time for political 'reforms'


One message - plain and simple: An anti-coup protester holding a placard during a demonstration at a shopping mall in Bangkok. - AFP

BANGKOK: Thailand’s junta chief ruled out elections for at least a year to allow time for political “reforms”, and defended the recent military coup in the face of rising international alarm.

In his first televised national address on Friday after announcing the army takeover last week, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the new military regime planned to work towards returning the nation of 67 million people to democracy in around 15 months.

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