Sondhi formally receives royal endorsement

The Thailand coup leader formally received the endorsement of the nation's revered king in a ceremony at army headquarters.

Thailand's coup leader, General Sondhi Boonyaratglin, formally received the endorsement of the nation's revered king in a ceremony on Friday at army headquarters.

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Dressed in white formal uniforms, Sondhi and other military leaders stood before a shrine to King Bhumibol Adulyadej as an army officer read out a royal decree that formally recognized the general as the head of a new military governing council.

Sondhi then kneeled and bowed deeply before a portrait of the king above the shrine, which was filled with flowers offered out of respect to the 78-year-old monarch.

The decree formally endorsing Sonthi was issued two days ago, but the ceremony was held early on Friday and broadcast on national television.