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BANGKOK - THAILAND'S General Sonthi Boonyarataglin, who led last year's coup, has stepped down as head of the nation's junta, paving the way for him to join the Cabinet, a spokesman said yesterday.
'His resignation took effect on Sept 30.
'Sonthi said he has completed his mission as the head of the Council for National Security,' the spokesman said, using the junta's formal name.
Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, head of the air force, took the helm of the junta yesterday.
Gen Sonthi, who turns 61 today, had announced earlier yesterday that he would join the army-installed government as a deputy prime minister and oversee internal security, amid speculation that he is eyeing the premiership.
The announcement that he was stepping down as the junta leader cemented his transition out of the military and into politics.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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