The new premier seemed friendly and in a good mood all day but gave only one brief interview, late in the morning.

Surayud, wearing a grey suit and yellow necktie, and his wife Khunying Chitrawadee left their home in the Royal Golf and Country Club complex at Lat Krabang at 9.30am. They were accompanied by a security team from the Special Warfare Command, Lop Buri - the same team that guarded him when he was Army chief and supreme commander.

Police were also posted around the area from early morning.

Surayud had ordered his aide to tell well-wishers who want to congratulate him not to visit, but thanked them for their wishes.

Surayud presented offerings and informed His Holiness of his appointment as the country's 24th prime minister.

The Supreme Patriarch gave Surayud Buddha amulets and statues. Surayud and his wife presented a lunch to His Holiness.

Media tycoon and former People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul was also at the temple and greeted Surayud, saying he had not expected to see the new premier there. Sondhi wanted to give Surayud a garland but failed to see him before he left the temple.

Meanwhile, former Army chief of staff General Pongthep Tesprateep, a close aide to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, paid respects at the Brahma image and spirit house at Government House on Surayud's behalf. Pongthep is expected to be the new PM's secretary-general but said he hadn't been appointed yet.

Surayud arrived Government House at 10.30am and spent 20 minutes in a meeting with US Ambassador Ralph Boyce Jr.

He appeared side-by-side with Boyce and talked to reporters after the meeting. Boyce said he needed to meet Surayud yesterday as he will travel to Washington DC today.

He said the US wanted Thailand to return to democracy as soon as possible and for people's freedom to be guaranteed under the interim government.

Surayud had assured him that Thailand would restore democracy, hold a general election and that the Thai people's freedom was assured, said Boyce, who described the meeting as successful.

Surayud escorted Boyce outside the building instead of just to the entrance.

At 12.30pm, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's private secretary arrived at Government House to present flowers to the new prime minister.

At 1pm, the Bank of Thailand Governor MR Pridiyathorn Devakula arrived, at Surayud's invitation. But he refused to reveal details of his meeting with the premier.

An hour later, Surayud went home. One of his military aides said he went to pick up his wife from their home on Soi Piboon Wattana 4, near the Finance Ministry on Rama VI Road, and would go to their house in the Royal Golf and Country Club, where they live most of the time. He asked reporters not to follow.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Woranaree Kosajan

The Nation