Military rulers announce new policies in Thailand

(Vatican Radio) Thailand's new military rulers have set out policies that they say will help to ensure stability while a programme of national reconciliation gets underway. Thai soldiers spent another day guarding public squares in Bangkok, using loudspeakers to deter demonstrators from gathering.

A spokesman for the new rulers said the regime's priorities would include trying to boost Thailand's economy.

Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong said authorities would impose a cap on the cost of fuel for 30 days and would try to offer price insurance for rice farmers.

He said the regime would also look at overhauling taxation and would consider developing special economic zones near Thailand's borders.

Some analysts took the comments to be a sign that the military intends to be in power for some time.

Speaking earlier this weekend, in a televised address, the military chief said...

...a reform council will oversee national reconciliation. General Prayup Chan-ochra said that might take a year, and afterwards, there'll be elections.

He said, "Please give us time." And he added, once the military's mission is complete, it will retreat and look after the country "from afar." Listen to Alastair Wanklyn's report