Thai coup leader hands over army post

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

Thailand's Army Chief and Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha handed over his military position to General Udomdej Sitabutr on Tuesday (September 30).

Udomdej is a close confidante of Prayuth, and his appointment signals the dominance of an army faction known as the Eastern Tigers, a clique of arch-royalists known for their animosity toward former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prayuth, 60, who led a coup in May unseating a government led by Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, presided over a lavish military parade on Monday (September 29) marking his retirement as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army.

In his farewell speech, the Prime Minister spoke of the challenges lying ahead, as he and his government laid out plans to turn the country's economy and divided society around.

Prayuth will remain leader of the junta and the National Council for Peace and Order, as it is likely his government will soon face the t