Special report: Army coup in Thailand

    BANGKOK, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's newly designated interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont began his first day in office at Government House in Bangkok Monday and met United States ambassador Ralph Boyce among other visitors, Thai News Agency reported.

Thailand's new interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont answers questions from journalists during his first press conference as PM in Bangkok, Oct. 1, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>

    The two discussed the current political situation in Thailand. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the U.S. envoy said Surayud assured him that he would restore democracy to the kingdomas soon as possible, return civil liberties and rights to the public, and that the next general election will be held soon.

    "We had a very good discussion," Boyce said. "I think it's verywell known that the United States urged the speedy return to an elected government and the protection of civil liberties during the interval."

    "The prime minister assured me that would be the case," the U.S. diplomat said.

    The U.S. had voiced its "disappointment" on what it called "a step backward for democracy in Thailand" following the Sept. 19 coup that toppled the Thaksin government. Later it declared, as required by its laws, to suspend its 24 million U.S. dollars aid to Thai military, which has kept years of close ties to U.S. armed forces in the Asia-Pacific region, one of the cooperative operations being the annual "Cobra Gold" live-fire exercise, the largest U.S. war games in Asia, co-hosted by the United States and Thailand. Enditem