Junta chief vows not to prolong premiership post

MILAN, ITALY, October 16 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reasserted to the international community the necessity of his seizure administrative power to break Thailand's national deadlock and prevent the country from deteriorating. During dinner with Thai authorities and the Thai business community in here Wednesday night, General Prayut said he formed many committees to solve the public's problems and other attempts focused on reducing social inequality. He said he had tried his best to solve problems in the past five months and that many countries understood him and maintained their investment in Thailand. Prime Minister Prayut said he promised to promote cooperation between the government and the private sector, support small- and medium-sized enterprises, boost employment and to campaign to promote Thai products. Regarding security, the prime minister said the imposition of a special law remained necessary to control situations, reduce conflicts and pave the way for national reform within one year. He promised that he would remain as prime minister within his planned period and that afterwards a new government would have to proceed with the initiated national reform. General Prayut is in Italy to attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) from October 15 to 18. He said he would present ASEAN's important roles in supplying foods to the global population. (TNA)