Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. (Image via Reuters)

Thailand Declares End of Military Rule after 5 Years

Kinanty Nadia Putri
Politics & Economic
International
Jul 17, 2019
2675
Thailand will now be a fully democratic country with a constitutional monarchy, where all problems will be addressed based on the democratic system and no use of special powers—Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Monday (7/15).

Prayut who has been the head of the military government for the past five years also declared his resignation from the position in a nationally televised official statement.

The military rule seized power in Thailand since 2014, that was prompted by a political turmoil between the opposition party and the democratically elected government which accused of being corrupted at that time. For months, the country was unrest and in a critical situation where a number of people have been killed in the violence. This was when the former army chief Gen Prayut took control on behalf of the ruling military body in order to restore order and enact political reforms.

Prayut said the military rule has brought success for the country in many areas, including fixing the problem of illegal fishing and human trafficking as well as rescuing a team of football boys trapped in a flooded cave last year.

Before stepping down, he transferred civilian legal cases from military to civil court but retained the military power to search and make arrests unchallenged.

The newly civilian cabinet from 19-party coalition government has also been endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the new government is expected to take power after swearing in a ceremony on Tuesday (7/16).

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thai-prime-minister-prayut-declares-end-military-rule-11722288

Thailand , Asia , Politics , International , Democracy , Military