Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth retires from politics, nine years after his coup

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth retires from politics, nine years after his coup

Web Desk

11th Jul, 2023. 08:30 pm
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Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced his retirement from politics
He will serve as interim prime minister until a new administration is established.
Prayuth, 69, has refuted this and has stated that he has “achieved many successes.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced his retirement from politics today, nine years after taking power in a military coup, and promised to stay only temporarily in power.

His declaration came after his military-backed United Thai Nation party was thrashed in a May 14 election, winning only 36 of the 500 house seats. He will serve as interim prime minister until a new administration is established.

The former army chief, a strong royalist, led a junta until an election in 2019 and was elected prime minister for four more years by parliament, a conclusion his opponents claim was predetermined.

Prayuth, 69, has refuted this and has stated that he has “achieved many successes.”

“I as prime minister have worked hard to protect the nation, religion, monarchy for the benefit of the beloved people. The result is currently bearing fruit for the public,” he said in a statement.

“I have tried to strengthen the country in all areas for stability and peace and overcame many obstacles domestically and internationally.”

Prayuth has faced numerous hurdles in the nine years following his coup, including court cases, house confidence votes, and street protests from opponents who saw him as an opportunist with no public mandate.

His announcement comes as the new parliament prepares to meet on Thursday to decide on who will be the next prime minister, a decision that is far from guaranteed.