Thailand's military-ruled legislature on Friday approved constitutional changes desired by the newly enthroned king that would reserve more powers for him. The constitution previously stated that if no regent was appointed, the head of the Privy Council — the king's advisory body — would become regent. A second amendment makes it easier to implement the king's desired changes in a new constitution that was approved in a referendum last August. Friday's changes were made to an interim constitution enacted in 2014 after the military ousted an elected government in a coup d'etat. It is unclear why Vajiralongkorn is seeking changes in the new constitution, but it suggests that he has not yet settled his relationship with the military.

Source: ABC News January 13, 2017 09:42 UTC