Thailand PM Prayuth retires from politics

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

His announcement was widely expected after his military-backed United Thai Nation party was thumped in a May 14 election, in which it won just 36 of the 500 house seats. He will remain caretaker premier until a new government is formed.

The former army chief led a junta until an election in 2019 and was chosen by parliament to remain prime minister for four more years. Prayuth, 69, has denied that and yesterday said he had “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.

GBDESK//