Retired general seen as Thailand's new premier

The coup, although welcomed by many Thais for ending months of political turmoil, has met with international condemnation.

The United States, Thailand's biggest trading partner and a close ally, on Thursday said it would cut 24 million dollars in military aid in protest.

"The United States continues to urge a rapid return to democratic rule and early elections in Thailand," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

Krit, of Thailand's foreign ministry, brushed off the measure, saying there was "no going back to square one" after decades of democracy.

Thailand's junta on Friday also announced a raft of promotions for military officers who backed last week's coup while sidelining Thaksin supporters.

The changes were announced in an annual reshuffle which had become a point of tension under Thaksin because of fears he was trying to cement his control over the armed forces by promoting loyalists.

A junta spokesman also said the military planned to withdraw tanks and troops from Bangkok by October 4 and hand over security operations to the police.

Surayud was in 1998 appointed the army's commander-in-chief and has been credited with professionalising the force that had been notorious for smuggling, political meddling and human rights abuses.

He retired in 2003, ending a 38-year military career, after he clashed with Thaksin, who had sidelined him to the less influential post of supreme commander.

Surayud then became a Buddhist monk for three months before joining the Privy Council, the inner circle of advisors to King Bhumipol Aduljadeh.

The general -- who has previously said the military should stay out of politics -- said Wednesday he would consider the job if offered to him, in part because he feared possible clashes between Thaksin supporters and opponents.

1

2