22 August 2014
The army general who headed the coup in Thailand in May was named yesterday as the country’s new prime minister. General Prayuth Chan-ocha was the only candidate proposed for the position and the unanimous backing he received from a military-led national assembly was no surprise. Prayuth has, in effect, been acting as prime minister since the coup.
General Prayuth, aged 60, is due to retire from the army next month and will swap his uniform for civilian attire as he formally takes on what is supposed to be an interim role. The military junta says they plan to hold a general election in Thailand in late 2015. Prayuth’s nomination is expected to be given royal approval within the next few weeks and a new cabinet will then be named.
