Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on July 11 his retirement from politics, nine years after he, as the army chief, took power in a military coup.
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks in front of supporters in Bangkok on January 9, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) –Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on July 11 his retirement from politics,nine years after he, as the army chief, took power in a military coup.
However, he will remain thecaretaker PM until a new government is formed.
In an announcement releasedby the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), he said that he will leavepolitics and resign as a UTN member.
Gen. Prayut,69, said he had achieved many successes during the nine years, and that as the PM,he has worked hard to protect the nation, religion, and monarchy for thebenefit of the Thai people.
He added that he has triedto strengthen the country in all areas for stability and peace and overcomemany obstacles domestically and internationally.
On July 10, UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhagasaid this party will not nominate the outgoing PM Prayut Chan-o-cha as a PMcandidate in the election slated for July 13.
In the nine years since the2014 coup, Prayut has survived multiple challenges such as court cases, houseconfidence votes and street protests. He has also helped Thailand navigatethe COVID-19 pandemic and launched many development projects, especially the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model./.
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Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks in front of supporters in Bangkok on January 9, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
