Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- The general who seized control of Thailand in a coup last week said Monday that he has received royal endorsement to run the politically unstable country and warned of a potential crackdown on people protesting military rule. Dressed in a white uniform and flanked by more than a dozen other military officials, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha addressed reporters in Bangkok, saying he had received a royal command from the country's deeply revered King to head the ruling military council. Saying there was "no set time period" for when new elections might be held, Prayuth outlined the steps he said his junta plans to take, including setting up a committee to introduce reforms.
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NEW: The leader of rallies against the former government is released on bail
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Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha urges people to stop protesting or risk crackdown
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He says he has the King's approval to head the ruling military council
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The military took power last week after months of political turmoil
But it is unpopular among the @placeholder elites, who accuse it of buying votes through ill-judged, populist policies.