Thailand’s newly-appointed Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr on September 30 confirmed no military coup against the administration of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Addressing a ceremony at the Royal Thai Army headquarters in Bangkok where Prayuth handed over the army chief position to him, Udomdej vowed to protect the royal institution and government and work for the national interest.

He assured to proceed with the Prime Minister’s policies, support the government and promote national unity and security.

Additionally, the Army Chief also said that he would do his utmost to settle unrest in the south, affirming the willingness to have peaceful talks with all insurgency movements.

According to the military reshuffle list endorsed by the Thai king on September 8, Prayuth's four full years as Army commander-in- chief ended on September 30. He will now focus on running the country as prime minister and also as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order.-VNA