Thai military leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha was endorsed as prime minister by Thailand's king on Monday (August 25), four days after he was elected by his own hand-picked parliament.

Thai television showed general Prayuth in a royal endorsement ceremony at the army's Bangkok headquarters.

Prayuth was appointed prime minister on Thursday (August 21) by 191 out of 197 members of the military-dominated national assembly. He was the sole candidate for the post.

Approval from King Bhumibol Adulyadej is a formality. It paves the way for the appointment of an interim government to be set up in the coming weeks, although power will remain firmly in the junta's hands.