Thai PM puts army chief in charge of security

THAI Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday made his army chief the head of national security in a bid to involve the military as anti-government protesters massed in the streets calling for his downfall.

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda will replace deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Abhisit said, admitting that efforts to rein in the protests had failed six days after violent clashes killed 24 people.

“Brothers and sisters, I want to insist the government is going forward to solve the problem that we know brings sorrow to Thai people,” Abhisit said in a televised address delayed from early afternoon.