Thailand PM publicizes retirement from politics, 9 years after seizing energy in coup

By Reuters: Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha introduced on Tuesday his retirement from politics, 9 years after he took energy in a navy coup, and promised to remain in cost solely briefly.

His announcement was broadly anticipated after his military-backed United Thai Nation social gathering was thumped in a May 14 election, through which it gained simply 36 of the five hundred home seats. He will stay caretaker premier till a brand new authorities is shaped.

The former military chief, a staunch royalist, led a junta till an election in 2019 and was chosen by parliament to stay Prime Minister for 4 extra years, an end result his opponents insist was pre-determined.

Prayuth, 69, has denied that and on Tuesday stated he had “achieved many successes”.

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“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 stated in a press release.

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

In the 9 years since his coup, Prayuth has survived a number of challenges through courtroom instances, home confidence votes and road protests by opponents who noticed him as an opportunist who lacked a public mandate.

His announcement got here as the brand new parliament prepares to convene on Thursday to carry a vote on who would be the subsequent Prime Minister, an end result removed from sure.

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