Thailand Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, will not seek re-election and will retire from politics.
The announcement made by his party comes two days before Thailand’s parliament voted for a new prime minister following a May election that saw Thais overwhelmingly reject military-backed rule.
Since taking over as army head in a coup in 2014, Prayut, 69, has been the prime minister of Thailand.
He was elected leader with the support of the Senate in 2019 after his party's alliance secured the most seats in the legislature.
The military-backed elite that has dominated Thailand since the coup received a powerful rebuke from voters in May's general election, capping years of growing resentment over the way conservative cliques have run the country.
The liberal Move Forward Party took home the most seats and the majority of the popular vote. This party garnered a significant following among young Thais thanks to its reformist platform.
Second place went to Pheu Thai, Thailand's biggest opposition party and a populist force for 20 years.
As his party only won 36 seats in the May election, Prayut was not anticipated to garner enough support in the lower house to win a second term as premier, however, the outcome is still up in the air.
Until a new administration is established, Prayut will continue to serve as prime minister.
Growing authoritarianism and rising inequality have damaged the former general's tenure as prime minister after leading a military coup.
2020 saw protests across the nation by young people demanding Prayut's ouster. Activists claim that there has been a crackdown on civil rights and freedom that has led to large-scale protests.
Prayut's government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, nepotism, and a lack of accountability and openness have fueled calls for his resignation.
