Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda has been named Regent pro tempore(temporary Regent) following the passing of His Majesty the King, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) have announced.
This is in line with the constitution, which states that the council president is acting regent when the throne is vacant, according to Section 24.
The constitution actually states, “Pending the proclamation of the name of the Heir or the Successor to the Throne under Article 23, the President of the Privy Council shall be Regent pro tempore.”
The duty of the Regent pro tempore ceases when a meeting of the NLA invites the heir to ascede the throne, according to Section 23.
Normally the heir’s name would already have been submitted for acknowledgement and then the heir would be invited to step onto the throne.
However, the Crown Prince has requested time to spend with his family in order to grieve with them and the nation for his father before accepting the invititation to become king.
Therefore, a regent pro tempore is required during this transition period and the Privy Council president would automatically take that position.
Gen Prem, 96, was appointed council president in 1988, succeeding former prime minister Sanya Dharmasakti.
(With thanks to the Bangkok Post)