AFTER OBTAINING royal endorsement, coup commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha made the following comments to the media at the Army Club in Bangkok today:

"To Government workers, citizens and police and soldiers and officers,

Today we've completed the Royal Endorsement ceremony. His Majesty has given me the title of Head of the National Council for Peace and Order. I've prostrated before His Majesty about the current situation.

I've vowed to carry out this position to the best of my ability appropriate to the endorsement that I've been given.

These procedures follow the tradition that occurs each time a situation like this has happens. It's a tradition applied to both normal and abnormal situations. Managing the government agencies and government officials is a process of the Royal Endorsement, which is legitimate.

I, Prayut Chan-ocha, now have a complete mandate to govern the country. Various commanders from the armed forces are already assisting operations of various government agencies to ensure moral and transparent conduct.

The initial operations will begin with the army, afterward, various experts will also assist in governing the country. There are two tiers in governing the country.

First, management of the permanent secretaries from various ministries. They will work as temporary ministers of their respective ministries.

But any major decisions must be made by the NCPO, of which I am the Chief. Whatever issues that are beyond the authority of the permanent secretaries, the NCPO, of which I am the Chief, will make the decision.

To the public, I say: please do not worry about the governance of the country under the NCPO. We have the legitimate right to govern the country in this particular situation.

Whatever has been wronged in the past, we are here to right those wrongs in order to bring back happiness to all Thais. As for the important procedures in governing Thailand, the priority is maintaining peace and order in the country, especially when it concerns the law.

I will set up an organisation to reform every problem and conflict in the country along with the creation of the National Legislative Assembly, in order to pave the way to a true and peaceful democracy.

In order to achieve these goals, I will even more strictly enforce these legal procedures. In cases where there is resistance, we will take action to enforce peace.

The strictness of various procedures will depend on the level of violence and resistance. To the public, I say: please do not worry about the NCPO restrictions.

The curfew can be adjusted depending on the necessity of particular people in various jobs and responsibilities. People who need exemptions must get permission from their local army offices.

Regarding the army summonses, we are detaining particular people to calm them down and to come to an understanding. If we don't do this, then there's no other way to settle the conflict in society.

This will be bad for both the country and international community. It will also have an affect on the business community and economy as well. Once the situation returns to normal, we will relax our restrictions.

Right now they are still necessary. I would like to stress that right now, our country is in trouble. We must move to stop the problems. I do not aim to do this for power or my personal interests. I've said this many times before.

I would like to explain to everyone that the army is not siding with any particular side. We are doing this to pave the way for a true democratic system, a system that's acceptable in the international community. That is what we're doing.

But since there is still tension and violence within society . . . and this conflict cannot lead to any peace . . . That's why I had to declare a coup in order to prevent any clashes, damages and losses.

The army understands its position and what it's doing . . . regardless of however many coups have happened in the past. We have learned from history. I have studied the past mistakes and have adjusted in order to prevent problems from repeating again in the future.

I am asking everyone, including soldiers, officials and even foreigners to understand what we are doing. We are doing this with a true sincerity . . . to pave to way to solve problems in an appropriate way.

We have assigned commanders from various armed forces to help administer operations at different ministries. But we have also invited academics and experts from all sectors of society to help advise us.

The reason for this is to incorporate as much knowledge as we can to ensure the administration continues as in a normal situation.

On a wider scope, it may look like this structure follows a military model, but it must be done to swiftly address our problems in an effcient manner.

I am asking the public to understand and not accuse the military of taking over the country. I want to stress that we are doing what is necessary to bring back peace and order.

The most urgent task is to solve the problems the public is facing right now. That's the rice pledging scheme backlash. We will pay back the farmers while simultaneously distributing the accumulated rice stocks in the warehouses.

We are asking concerned agencies to not make more demands than necessary right now because we are doing all we can that needs to be done. So please be patient. I want to ask for cooperation from all sections in society in these regards.

As for taxes that may affect exports and imports, we are working on it. I ask that everyone please relax. I am not doing this for the army but I am doing this to protect the pride and honor of all Thais. We cannot turn back.

We have to move forward. We must stop fighting and move forward toward harmony and unity. I beg the media to do a proper job giving information to the public. As our country is at a dead end, I must ask everyone to cooperate in order to move the country forward.

Concerning the fiscal budget, we must act accordingly with permission from the NCPO. How long this coup will last depends on the extremity and circumstances of the situation. The media must not exacerbate the social conflict. Social media also must not create controversy and conflict.

If the media does not abide by our restrictions, we will not hesitate to summon the media to create an understanding. If you do not want me to do that, then please exercise self control. We will begin our media monitoring today.

From today onward, whoever posts information that creates conflict, we will take action. If the media continues to give information fueling disputes, we will be back at square one.

To the anti-coup protesters at this point, do you want to return to where we were? If you want to continue with your activities, then I will have to take legal action. But if you don't want to be affected by the law, then please warn your colleagues to refrain from protesting.

This legal action will be very strict and swift and be taken with the military court. It will affect your family. This includes cases concerning Les Majeste.

We cannot use the normal courts to deal with the present unrest. We want the public to understand that we will have evidence with every case we make. This will not be any random accusation without reason or substance.

If the public adheres to keeping peace in society, then I have not doubt that everyone will cooperate with me and the army. Please do not resist the army right now, because going against the army will prevent the country from moving forward. This includes cooperation from the press.

Please do not publish information that will create divisiveness. I don't want to infringe on press freedom. No good will come from this. So please cooperate. Those who don't listen may be summoned, so don't come and get upset with me then.

As for the people who've been summoned and detained. None have been tortured or abused. We are actually taking great care of them. But it may not be as luxurious as home. It's because the place is the soldiers' residence.

We chose those quarters so they can see how the soldiers are living. For those who've been summoned but have not reported themselves yet, we are monitoring them and will follow them and collect information and evidence on them. But if they continue to resist, then we will take legal action against them.

So from here on out, I am asking the public to be tolerant and patient . . . just like how we've been patient in the past. Our country has had political divisiveness and conflict for nine years. This kind of conflict should not be the end of the country. I need everyone's cooperation to help us out of this mess.

Over the past six months, we've suffered enough. Today, it's time to return happiness to Thailand; protect the country's interests; solve problems, create more stability and security.

Whatever you think we're doing that may seem cruel or unreasonable, we apologise. But it's necessary. I've received Royal Approval, even though I did not receive a Royal audience.

The reason is because I do not want to involve the King in politics. But the Royal Endorsement has been carried out legitimately, according to tradition.''