Thailand's military council announces interim constitution

Thailand's ruling military has announced an interim constitution, which they said wouldbe followed by the naming of a prime minister to head the country for the next year.

The announcement was made on television stations on Sunday after King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorsed the document.

The military abolished a 1997 constitution after seizing power from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup Sept. 19.

The previous constitution had too many "loopholes" which allowed Thaksin and his cronies to abuse power and engage in widespread corruption, the military said.