Thai coup leader claims king's endorsement

General Prayuth Chan-ocha, leader of Thailand's coup, says he has received the endorsement of King Bhumibol Adulyadej formalizing his status as head of government, after the armed forces seized power last week.

The army chief gave his first address to the nation on Monday, saying that he will enforce the law firmly to improve the political situation in the country.

"The most important thing right now is to keep peace and order in the country," Prayuth said. "When the conflict intensified, and there was the threat of violence, we had to act."

Prayuth spoke at a news conference just after the king endorsed him to run the country in a royal command that called for "reconciliation among the people" and was concerned about increasingly violent confrontations between the ousted government and dispersed demonstrators who had called repeatedly for the army to intervene, according to the Associated Press.

The ceremony came one day after the military junta repeated warnings to protesters, the media and the nation's political rivals to avoid inciting division because the country could face a return "to the old days."

Prayuth also justified the putsch that was declared last Thursday, saying he had to restore order after seven months of violent confrontations and to prevent more turmoil in Thailand's protracted political deadlock, which resulted sometimes violent protests against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who was forced to resign on May 7.

"I am not here to argue with anyone. Our intentions are pure, and we will remain transparent ... everyone needs to help me," Prayuth said, before adding, "do not criticize, do not start problems. It's no use."

It took over the government by detaining scores of people, most allied with Yingluck's government, throwing out the constitution, dissolving the Senate and censoring media.

Yingluck and scores of politicians from both sides were detained by the military on Friday, but although she is under military supervision, she has been allow to go home, Reuters reported.

Suthep Thaugsuban, who had led seven months of protests and had been detained by the junta since the coup was announced, left a military detention center on Monday and later appeared at the attorney-general's office escorted by police and soldiers.

He faces insurrection charges for seizing government ministries and other infractions during his protest bid.

Al Jazeera's Scott Heidler, reporting from Bangkok, said that Thaugsuban and other top leaders of the anti-government movement were at the attorney-general's office in an proceeding similar to a bail hearing and will have to go to the criminal court later in the day.

Other lower level members of the movement were also at the office but they will not be going to the criminal court, according to Al Jazeera’s Heidler. 

The military also ordered dozens of outspoken activists, academics and journalists to report to military authorities. More than 200 have been officially summoned so far in lists broadcast on radio and TV.

Thailand's coup leaders on Saturday announced the dissolution of the country's Senate, with the military assuming all executive power in the country. The declaration, which was broadcast on television, stripped away the last democratic institution in the country two days after the military seized power.

Al Jazeera and wire services