Prayut Chan-o-cha

Born to an army Colonel, Prapat Chan-o-cha, native from Bangkok, and a school teacher, Khemphet Chan-o-cha, native from Chaiyaphum province, he was the eldest child of four siblings.{{cite act |type=court order |index= |date=2016 |article=Royal Gazette |title=ศาลมีคำสั่งว่า พันเอก ประพัฒน์ จันทร์โอชา เป็นคนไร้ความสามารถ และให้อยู่ในความอนุบาลของ พลเอก ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา |trans-title=The court ordered that Colonel Prapat Chan-o-cha was incompetent. and to be in the care of General Prayut Chan-o-cha |page= |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2559/D/087/19.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022020910/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2559/D/087/19.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2016 |language=th }} He studied at Sahakit School in Lopburi (now known as Lopburi Technical college), where his mother taught. For junior highschool, he spent only a year at Phibulwitthayalai Lopburi School because his father, an army officer, moved often. Then at the grade 8, he moved to Wat Nuannoradit School in Phasi Charoen, where he was selected as one of the best students in a student magazine.{{cite web |title=เปิดประวัติ พล.อ. ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา นายกฯ คนดีคนเดิม ที่ครองเก้าอี้ต่ออีกสมัย |date=5 June 2019 |url=https://thestandard.co/prayut-chan-o-cha/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104145313/https://thestandard.co/prayut-chan-o-cha/ |archive-date=4 November 2021 |language=th |trans-title= Prayut Biography}}

In 1971, Prayut spent his senior highschool year at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) Class 12, and in 1976, became a cadet at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy Class 23. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree. While in the academy, he finished Infantry Officer Basic Course Class 51 in his first year and Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Class 34 in 1981. Before starting his military career, he graduated from Command and General Staff College (CGSC) Class 63 in 1985.

After graduating from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, Prayut started his career as a Major. He was a royal guard under Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda in 1987.{{cite act |type=court order |index= |date=2016 |article=Royal Gazette |title=แต่งตั้งราชองครักษ์ |trans-title= Royal Guard Appointment |page= |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2530/D/102/2.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220946/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2530/D/102/2.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 March 2016 |language=th}} Three years later, Prayut served in the 21st Infantry Regiment, which is granted Royal Guard status as the Queen's Guards ({{langx|th|ทหารเสือราชินี}}, {{lit.|Queen's Musketeer}}). In 2001, he served as a deputy commanding general in the 2nd Infantry Division, becoming its commanding general one year later. In 2005, he became a deputy commanding general of the 1st Army, which included the 2nd Infantry Division. He was seen as one of the leaders of the alliance behind the 2006 Thai coup d'état.

Like his direct predecessor, Anupong Paochinda, and former defence minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Prayut is a member of the army's "eastern tigers" faction. Most of them, like Prayut, began their military careers in the 2nd Infantry Division, headquartered in eastern Thailand, particularly in the 21st Infantry Regiment (Queen's Guards).{{cite news|last=Panananda|first=Avudh|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/06/08/politics/Is-prayuth-the-best-choice-amid-signs-of-Army-riva-30131079.html|title=Is Prayut the best choice amid signs of Army rivalry?|work=The Nation|date=8 June 2010|access-date=20 May 2014|archive-date=20 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220524/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/06/08/politics/Is-prayuth-the-best-choice-amid-signs-of-Army-riva-30131079.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NJ13Ae01.html|title=Thai military resists political pressure|author1=John Cole|author2=Steve Sciacchitano|work=Asia Times Online|date=13 October 2012|access-date=20 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221212604/http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NJ13Ae01.html|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=unfit}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/384364/|title='Silent' military coup beats having a real one|work=Bangkok Post|date=12 December 2013|author=Wassana Nanuam|access-date=20 May 2014}}{{cite news|author=Wassana Nanuam|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/387564/|title=Will this crisis lead to another coup?|work=Bangkok Post|date=2 January 2014|access-date=20 May 2014}}

After the 2006 coup, Prayut was appointed to the National Legislative Assembly. In this capacity, he joined the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Prayut sits on the executive boards of a number of companies including a state electricity utility company, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA). From 2007 to 2010 he was independent director at Thai Oil Public Co, Ltd. Since 7 October 2010 he has been a director of Thai Military Bank{{cite news|title=Prayut Chan-O-Cha: Executive Profile & Biography|access-date=30 March 2014|url= http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=33259917&ticker=TMB:TB|archive-url= https://archive.today/20140209215847/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=33259917&ticker=TMB:TB|url-status= dead|archive-date= 9 February 2014|work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek}} and chairman of the Army United Football Club. Prayut attended management course in the National Defence College of Thailand (NDC) Class 20, in 2007. He was the chief of staff of the Royal Thai Army from 2008 to 2009, and in 2009 he was appointed honorary adjutant to the king.

File:General Prayuth Chan-ocha.jpg

In 2010, he succeeded Anupong Paochinda as commander in chief.{{cite news |newspaper=Thai Rath |url-status=live |url=http://www.thairath.co.th/people/view/pol/4523 |title=ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223002024/http://www.thairath.co.th/people/view/pol/4523 |archive-date=23 February 2014 }} On taking over, Prayut had stated that his mandates would be to maintain Thailand's sovereignty and to protect the monarchy. His uncommon promotion was seen as a revealing of the influence of the Queen's Guards.{{cite news |last1=Pongsudhirak |first1=Thitinan |title=Meaning and implications of general's rise |url=http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2010/10/thailands-general-prayuth-chan-ocha.html |work=Bangkok Post |date=2010}}

Amid the 2010 Thai political protests, Prayut was the part of executive of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES), a special government agency that was found by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy-Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. Queen's Guards army general, Anupong Paochinda was the leader of the violent 2010 Thai military crackdown before Prayut stepped up to replace Anupong. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a visiting scholar at Stanford University's Centre on Democracy, commented that Prayut was seen as more hardline than Anupong, and in April 2009, during the red shirts' uprising, Anupong was nominally in charge but Prayut appeared to be directing the dispersing the red shirt protesters.{{cite news |title=Are cracks emerging in Thailand's military?|work=BBC News|first=Vaudine|last=England |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8615910.stm |date=12 April 2010}}

Prayut had led the CRES from 5 October to 21 December 2010, in which he used authoritarian methods to control a political situation. The CRES banned symbolic political-dividing products such as Prime Minister Abhisit face on a sandal.{{cite news |title=ศอฉ.สั่งห้ามบุคคลใดขาย-ครอบครองสินค้า "สร้างความแตกแยก" |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2010/11/31969 |work=prachatai.com |date=2010 |language=th}}{{cite news |title=จับแม่ค้ารองเท้ารูปนายกฯ – ตำรวจระบุนำสินค้ามาสอบว่าฝ่าฝืน "ศอฉ." หรือไม่ |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2010/11/31976 |work=prachatai.com |date=2010 |language=th}} After the CRES dissolved, in 2011, Prayut became part of the opposition to Yingluck Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party in the 2011 Thai general election. He told the media that he stood in the middle, but urged Thai people not to vote for Pheu Thai, saying it would lead to "chaos and violence".{{cite news |title="ประยุทธ์" ยันมีเลือกตั้งแน่ ลั่นเป็นกลาง แต่วอนอย่าเลือกคนที่จะนำไปสู่ความวุ่นวาย-รุนแรง |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2011/03/33672 |work=prachatai.com |date=22 March 2011 |language=th}} He intended to stop a violation of monarchy defamation law by red shirts activists who support Yingluck. He vowed to sacrifice his life to protect the monarchy.{{cite news |title=ผบ.ทบ. เผยคนจน-คนต่างจังหวัดน่าสงสาร ขอให้ทบทวนมาชุมนุมแล้วได้ประชาธิปไตยหรือไม่ |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2011/04/34028 |work=prachatai.com |date=12 April 2011 |language=th}} Before the election date, he urged the people to vote for the party that would protect the monarchy.{{cite news |title=ผบ.ทบ.ขอให้ประชาชนเลือกคนที่ทำให้บ้านเมือง-สถาบันปลอดภัย |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2011/06/35462 |work=prachatai.com |date=15 June 2011 |language=th}} Eventually, Pheu Thai Party won the election in a landslide. Pavin Chachavalpongpun called on Yingluck to sack Prayut, in order to remind the military to stay out of politics.{{cite news |title=ปวิน ชัชวาลพงศ์พันธ์: ห้าเหตุผลที่ยิ่งลักษณ์ควรกำจัดประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2011/08/36532 |work=prachatai.com |date=18 August 2011 |language=th}}

File:Prayut Chan-O-Cha in 1st Infantry Regiment's royal guard uniform.jpg

In the late 2011, Prayut heavily criticised the Nitirat group, led by Worachet Pakeerut and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, who campaigned for constitutional reform and a change of Thailand's lèse majesté law. Prayut warned them that they would violate the rule of law in Thailand.{{cite news |title=เผย "มาร์ค" ไม่ร่วมวงถกนิติราษฎร์ ท้าแน่จริงเลิกเป็นนักวิชาการ "ผบ.ทบ." ชี้ข้อเสนอ "นิติราษฎร์" ทำชาติแตกแยก |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2011/09/37061 |work=prachatai.com |date=24 September 2011 |language=th}}

File:Defense.gov News Photo 120605-D-VO565-014 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey talks with Thailand s Joint Chiefs during a visit to Bangkok Thailand on June 5 2012.jpg, 2012]]

In July 2012, during the GT200 controversy, a fraudulent "remote substance detector", Prayut opined that soldiers were confident of the effectiveness of the technology, because it performed well in the field. This was contrary to the outcomes of scientific tests by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).{{cite news |title=GT200: Faulty reasoning |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/303670/gt200-faulty-reasoning-after-faulty-purchases |work=Bangkok Post |date=2012}} Later, in 2013, Prayut asked people to stop criticizing it.{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Harrison |title=Military Reasons |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/3585 |work=Prachatai English |date=2013 |language=en}}

In August 2012, Prayut sued Robert Amsterdam, a lawyer representing the UDD and exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Amsterdam's translator, who delivered a speech at a Red Shirt rally in Bangkok, on Thai military defamation. Amsterdam alleged the Thai military committed brutality against demonstrators. Prayut also told the DSI to stop implicating soldiers in the killing of Red Shirt demonstrators during the 2010 Thai military crackdown and not to disclose publicly the progress of its investigations. Prayut had denied any army abuses in which at least 98 people died and more than 2,000 were injured, despite on scene witnesses and evidence. Prayut said that soldiers did not kill anyone during the conflicts. He argued that soldiers seen in photos and videos armed with telescopic rifles were not 'snipers,' but were only using them for self-defense.{{cite web |title=Thailand: Army Chief Interfering in Investigations |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/08/23/thailand-army-chief-interfering-investigations |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en |date=23 August 2012}} He also adopted a policy that soldiers could be regarded as witnesses in the investigations and protected them from criminal charge.{{cite book |title=World Report 2013: Thailand |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/thailand# |language=en |date=10 January 2013}}

File:Prayut Chan-O-Cha, commander in chief of the Royal Thai Army 06-06-2013 130606-A-WP504-121.jpg

In May 2013, Prayut sold nine plots of land in a Bangkok suburb to a company called 69 Property for 600 million baht. Reporters subsequently asked him about the land sale, and the prime minister's position was that the media had no business questioning him on the matter, saying: "The land has belonged to me since I was a kid, it belonged to my father. So what's the problem? Please stop criticising me already."{{cite news|title=Prayuth Deflects Questions About 600 Million Baht Land Sale|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1415098178§ion=11|access-date=19 November 2014|work=Khaosod English|date=4 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063306/http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1415098178§ion=11|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

In 2013-14, political conflict broke out with the involvement of the anti-Yingluck Shinawatra People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). In late 2013, the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT), a sub-group of PDRC, tried to seize army headquarters, demanding that the military join the protests.{{cite web|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/382363/prayuth-says-army-neutral |title=Prayuth says army neutral |work=Bangkok Post|date=30 November 2013|access-date=1 December 2013}} In response, Prayut urged protest groups, led by Suthep Thaugsuban, not to involve the military and called on rival sides to resolve the crisis peacefully. Suthep's actions were supported by former defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and former army chief General Anupong Paochinda. The two generals had had close ties to Prayut through the Queen's Guard unit. They could help influence the military to intervene or even to seize power on the excuse of national security, if Suthep's group lead to violence.{{cite news |last1=Szep |first1=Jason |last2=Lefevre |first2=Amy Sawitta |title=Powerful forces revealed behind Thai protest movement |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-thailand-protest-military-idUKBRE9BC0OV20131213 |work=Reuters |date=13 December 2013 |language=en}} By the end of 2013, Prayut called for end to violence but hinted possibility of a Coup d'état.{{cite news |title=Thai army chief calls for end to violence but fails to rule out coup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/27/thai-army-chief-violence-coup |work=The Guardian |date=27 December 2013 |language=en}}

On 20 May 2014, amid the 2013–2014 Thai political crisis, Prayut attempted to bring the rival parties of Yingluck Shinawatra and Suthep Thaugsuban to an agreement, and declared martial law. He insisted that they had not staged a coup, despite being in control of key levers of power. Yingluck had already been removed from office on 7 May by the Constitutional Court, in a controversial transfer,{{cite news|title=Yingluck, 9 ministers removed from office|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/408549/yingluck-9-ministers-removed-from-office|access-date=22 May 2014|newspaper=Bangkok Post|date=7 May 2014}} and Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan was acting in her place. Prayut did not inform the caretaker government of Yingluck to declare martial law, and also ordered 14 TV channels to stop broadcasting and warned Thai people not to use social media to stir up disturbance.{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |last2=Weaver |first2=Matthew |title=Thailand army declares martial law, denies coup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/20/thailand-army-declares-martial-law-denies-coup-live |work=The Guardian |date=20 May 2014}} When a meeting failed, he staged the coup against the caretaker government on 22 May.{{cite news |title=Thailand military seizes power in coup |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27517591 |work=BBC News |date=22 May 2014}} Prayut quickly cracked down on dissent. He seized control of the media, imposed Internet censorship, declared a curfew nationwide, banned gatherings of five or more persons and arrested politicians and anti-coup activists, some of whom were charged with sedition and tried in military courts.{{cite web |title = The Thai junta's latest crackdown on dissent is a bogus Facebook login button |url = http://qz.com/226673/the-thai-juntas-latest-crackdown-on-dissent-is-a-bogus-facebook-login-button/ |date = 26 June 2014 |access-date = 25 August 2014 |work = Quartz }}{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27969600 |title = Thai military stifles dissent | date = 22 June 2014 |access-date = 25 August 2014 |publisher = BBC News}}{{cite web |title = All crimes involving alleged lese majeste, sedition subjected to Military Court: Thai Coup makers |url = http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/4021 |date = 25 May 2014 |access-date = 25 August 2014 |work=Prachatai }} These limits on freedom of speech were justified on the basis of promoting national reconciliation.{{cite web |title=Thailand: Unending Repression 6 Months Post-Coup |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/11/24/thailand-unending-repression-6-months-post-coup |website=Human Rights Watch |access-date=27 February 2020 |date=24 November 2014}}

On 26 May, King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorsed the coup, formally appointing Prayut to "take charge of public administration" {{as of|lc=y|2014|05|24|post=.}}{{cite journal |date=2014-05-26 |title= |script-title=th:ประกาศแต่งตั้งหัวหน้าคณะรักษาความสงบแห่งชาติ |trans-title=Proclamation on Appointment of Leader of the National Council for Peace and Order |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2557/E/082/1.PDF |url-status=dead |journal=Government Gazette |language=th |location=Bangkok |publisher=Cabinet Secretariat |volume=131 |issue=82D |page=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528010329/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2557/E/082/1.PDF |archive-date=28 May 2014 |access-date=2014-05-27}}{{cite news| title = Thai coup: Leader Gen Prayuth receives royal endorsement | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27572726 | work= BBC | date = 2014-05-26 | access-date = 2014-05-27 }} The royal endorsement was seen as key to legitimising the coup. On 30 May, Prayut gave his first of a series of Friday night speeches on national television.{{cite web|title=National Broadcast by General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, Head of the National Council for Peace and Order, on 30 May 2014|url=http://www.thaigov.go.th/en/speech-2/item/83656-national-broadcast-by-general-prayut-chan-o-cha-head-of-the-national-council-for-peace-and-order.html|website=Royal Thai Government|access-date=31 March 2015}} Preempting normal broadcasting, including Thai soap operas,{{cite news|last1=Chanwanpen|first1=Kasamakorn|title=Not every TV viewer is happy with Prayut 'Returning Happiness to the People'|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/national/aec/30261309|access-date=4 March 2017|work=The Nation|date=31 May 2015|archive-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611005938/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/aec/30261309|url-status=live}} Prayut sometimes spoke for more than an hour, explaining government policies, warning the media to cease spreading dissenting views, and complaining that people weren't heeding him.{{cite news|last1=Barbash|first1=Fred|title=Thailand's leader will write soap operas to 'return happiness' to the people|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/09/29/thailands-leader-will-write-soap-operas-to-return-happiness-to-the-people/|access-date=31 March 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=29 September 2014}}

After the coup, PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban told PDRC supporters that he had been in talks with Prayut since 2010 about how to exclude Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra and his family from power. He also claimed that before declaring martial law, Prayut told him that "Khun Suthep and your masses of PDRC supporters are too exhausted. It's now the duty of the army to take over the task".{{cite news|url=https://time.com/2910484/thai-coup-planned-2010-suthep-thaugsuban/|title=A Yellow Shirt Leader Says the Thai Coup Was Planned in 2010|last=Campbell|first=Charlie|date=23 June 2014|magazine=Time|access-date=23 June 2014|archive-date=23 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623063054/http://time.com/2910484/thai-coup-planned-2010-suthep-thaugsuban/|url-status=live}} Similarly, Reuters reported in December 2013 that close friends of Prayut, former army chief, Anupong Paochinda, and General Prawit Wongsuwan were supporters of the PDRC.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-protest-military-idUSBRE9BC0PB20131213|title=Powerful forces revealed behind Thai protest movement|date=13 December 2013|work=Reuters|access-date=11 January 2019|language=en|archive-date=11 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111121603/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-protest-military-idUSBRE9BC0PB20131213|url-status=live}}

The NCPO was promoting the campaign to restore "happiness" to the Thai people following six months of political turmoil. Prayut wrote a song, titled "Returning Happiness to the People." It released on early June 2014,{{cite news |title=Army Unveils Song 'Authored By Gen. Prayuth' |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2014/06/08/1402215513/ |work=Khaosod English |date=8 June 2014}} and played on state radio and TV stations. The meaning of the song was that the Thai people had not been happy as a result of the political crisis, and that the junta had come to return happiness to the people. In 2016, Prayut released Because You Are Thailand.{{cite news|last1=Charuvastra|first1=Teeranai|title=Prayuth Releases Another Patriotic Ballad|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1450778318§ion=11|access-date=24 December 2015|work=Khaosod English|date=22 December 2015}} In 2018, Prayut released Diamond Heart,{{cite web|last1=Chan-o-cha|first1=Prayut|title=ไจเพชร|trans-title=Diamond Heart|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYO9Mf8W4Rc|website=YouTube|access-date=14 February 2018}} the lyrics urge his lover, presumably Thailand, to "...build our hearts and dream together....".{{cite news|last1=Thaitrakulpanich| first1=Asaree|title=PRAYUTH DROPS VALENTINE'S SINGLE 'DIAMOND HEART'|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2018/02/14/prayuth-drops-valentines-single-diamond-heart/|access-date=14 February 2018|work=Khaosod English|date=14 February 2018}} In April 2018, Prayut released Fight for the Nation.{{cite news|last1=Rojanaphruk|first1=Pravit|title=Yet Another sad Propaganda Ballad for Juntaland|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2018/04/14/yet-another-propaganda-song-for-juntaland-thailand/|access-date=22 April 2018|work=Khaosod English|date=14 April 2018}} In January 2019, ahead of the general election, Prayut released In Memory,{{cite web|url=https://www.naewna.com/politic/387915|title=ซิงเกิ้ลใหม่บิ๊กตู่! นายกฯสะบัดปากกาแต่งเพลง'ในความทรงจำ' (ชมคลิป)|website=แนวหน้า |date=10 January 2019 |language=th|access-date=10 January 2019}} about the conflicts before the coup. The singer goes on to say that reconciliation has been difficult but he will never forget the heartbreaking past.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/politics/30314325|title=Don't vote for the same 'bad people' next time: Prayut|work=The Nation|date=5 May 2017|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017121149/https://www.nationthailand.com/politics/30314325|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/politics/30360293|title=Prayut urges people to 'vote carefully in Feb'|work=The Nation|date=13 December 2018|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017122031/https://www.nationthailand.com/politics/30360293|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}} Also in 2019, Prayut released New Day,{{cite news |last1=Biggs |first1=Andrew |title=Thailand's New Day Same as Old |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/1642048/thailands-new-day-same-as-the-old |access-date=10 March 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |issue=B Magazine |date=10 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211017115810/https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1642048/thailands-new-day-same-as-the-old |archive-date=17 October 2021 |url-status=live}} and his tenth song, Thai is Thai March, the latter inspired by the king's coronation.{{cite news |last1=Thaitrakulpanich |first1=Asaree |title=PRAYUTH WRITES AND RELEASES CORONATION-INSPIRED SONG |url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2019/05/13/prayuth-writes-and-releases-coronation-inspired-song/ |access-date=15 May 2019 |work=Khaosod English |date=13 May 2019}}

On 22 July 2014, Prayut issued an interim constitution granting himself an amnesty for leading the coup and new sweeping powers.{{cite news |title = Thai military announces new constitution |url = https://www.abc.net.au/correspondents/content/2014/s4054426.htm |date = 27 July 2014 |access-date = 28 August 2014 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201129192927/https://www.abc.net.au/correspondents/content/2014/s4054426.htm |archive-date = 29 November 2020 |url-status = live}} In particular, Article 44 of the new constitution was criticised for allowing him undertake 'any action' on the basis of social harmony or national order and security.{{cite web |title=Report on the Exercise of Power under Section 44 of the Interim Constitution of Thailand |url=https://ilaw.or.th/node/3938 |website=iLaw.or.th |access-date=27 February 2020 |date=18 November 2015}} On 31 July 2014, a military-majority national assembly was established according to the constitution. The legislators were mostly senior military and police officers, and even Prayut's younger brother handpicked by him.{{cite news |title = Thai Junta Appoints New Legislature |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/thai-junta-names-new-legislature-1406823860 |work = The Wall Street Journal |date = 31 July 2014 |access-date = 2 August 2014 |last1 = Chomchuen |first1 = Warangkana |last2 = Watcharasakwet |first2 = Wilawan |archive-url = https://archive.today/20211017125018/https://www.wsj.com/articles/thai-junta-names-new-legislature-1406823860 |archive-date = 17 October 2021 |url-status = live |url-access = subscription}} The junta legislature unanimously voted Prayut, the sole candidate, as the new prime minister. The formal appointment was made on 24 August 2014,{{cite journal |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |script-title=th:ประกาศแต่งตั้งนายกรัฐมนตรี ลงวันที่ 24 สิงหาคม 2557 |trans-title=Proclamation on Appointment of Prime Minister dated 24 August 2014 |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2557/E/159/1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115146/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2557/E/159/1.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 August 2014 |date=25 August 2014 |access-date=25 August 2014 |language=th |publisher=Cabinet Secretariat |location=Bangkok |volume=131, Special Part 159 D |page=1}} in which King Bhumibol Adulyadej officially endorsed Prayut as prime minister. Prayut became the first coup leader to serve as prime minister in almost 60 years, the last was Sarit Thanarat, and his appointment was condemned by opponents. The royal endorsement also allowed Prayut to establish an interim government until elections were held in late 2015.{{cite news |title=Thai king endorses coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/25/thai-king-endorses-coup-leader-prayuth-chan-ocha-prime-minister |work=the Guardian |date=25 August 2014 |language=en}}

In August 2014, Prayut held three positions: army chief, NCPO leader and prime minister.{{cite web |title = Prayut Chan-o-cha: Army Chief, Junta Leader, Prime Minister |url = http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1408604044§ion= |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140825083346/http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1408604044§ion= |url-status = dead |archive-date = 25 August 2014 |work = Khaosod English |date = 21 August 2014 |access-date = 25 August 2014 }} He retired from the army chief post in October 2014. His appearance in Milan at the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on 16 October 2014 drew protests.{{cite news|title=Fury as Thai coup leader joins club of world leaders|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/south-east-asia/story/fury-thailand-coup-leader-prayuth-joins-club-world-leaders-20141016|work=The Straits Times|date=16 October 2014|access-date=16 October 2014}} Although Prayut claimed the coup was needed to combat corruption, some members of his own cabinet and members of the appointed national legislature, including his brother Preecha Chan-o-cha and Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister M.L. Panadda Diskul, have themselves been beset by various corruption scandals.{{cite news |author=Pavin Chachavalpongpun |title=Thai Junta Beset By Corruption Scandals |date=12 October 2014|access-date=12 October 2014 |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/thai-junta-beset-by-corruption-scandals/|work=The Diplomat}} However, the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission concluded that Panadda was not involved in the alleged case.{{cite web|url=https://news.mthai.com/politics-news/397048.html|title=ปปท.แจงผลสอบไมค์ครม.แพงไม่พบปนัดดาเอี่ยว}} Prayut then prohibited any criticism of his government. In February 2015 he explained, "If people want to do opinion polls, they are free to do so. But if the polls oppose the NCPO, that is not allowed."{{cite news |last1=Haworth|first1=Abigail|title=Bangkok's Big Brother is watching you|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/22/bangkok-big-brother-politics-ruling-party-democracy|access-date=22 March 2015|work=The Guardian|date=22 March 2015}}

In September 2014, following the murders of British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, Prayut questioned what they, and other tourists who have been killed in Ko Tao recently, were wearing at the time. Prayut commented, "They think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like. I'm asking, if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? Only if they are not beautiful.",{{cite news |last1=Paddock |first1=Richard C. |last2=Suhartono |first2=Muktita |title=Thai Paradise Gains Reputation as 'Death Island' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/03/world/asia/thailand-koh-tao-death-island.html |access-date=25 January 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=3 November 2018}} he later apologized.{{Cite news|url=https://www.posttoday.com/politic/news/319482|title=บิ๊กตู่ขอโทษพูดจาแรงกับนักท่องเที่ยว|work=Post Today|date=19 September 2014|access-date=8 December 2018}}

In his mandatory asset disclosure to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Prayut listed 128.6 million baht (US$3.9 million) in assets and 654,745 baht (US$20,000) in liabilities.{{cite news |title=Prayut, wife have net assets worth bt128 million |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30246666 |access-date=18 February 2020 |work=The Nation |date=31 October 2014}}{{cite news|title=PM Prayuth 'can justify personal wealth'|url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/pm-prayuth-can-justify-personal-wealth-49445.php|access-date=28 December 2017|work=Phuket News|publisher=Bangkok Post|date=1 November 2014}} His assets included a Mercedes Benz S600L, a BMW 740Li series sedan, three additional vehicles, nine luxury watches valued at three million baht,{{cite news|last1=Nanuam|first1=Wassana|last2=Laohong|first2=King-Oua|title=Prawit on his own in watch row|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1382015/prawit-on-his-own-in-watch-row|access-date=29 December 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=20 December 2017}} US$200,000 in jewellery, and several pistols.{{cite news|last1=Fuller|first1=Thomas|title=Thailand's Junta Tries to Bury the Opposition in Endless Lawsuits |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/world/asia/thailand-junta-drowning-the-opposition-in-paperwork.html|access-date=24 February 2016|work=The New York Times|date=9 February 2015}} He also reported the transfer of 466.5 million baht (US$14.3 million) to other family members. As army chief, prior to his retirement at the end of September, the general received a 1.4 million baht (US$43,000) annual salary.{{cite web|title=Thai prime minister, an ex-general, is millionaire|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/thai-prime-minister-ex-general-153400812.html|website=Yahoo Finance|access-date=12 November 2014|ref=AP}}

According to Human Right Watch report in 2015, the military junta had sent human rights situation into "free fall". The NCPO had severely repressed freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, detained hundreds mostly without charge, and tried civilians in military courts with no right to appeal.{{cite news |title=World Report 2015: Thailand |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2015/country-chapters/thailand |date=9 January 2015 |language=en}}

Prayut is known for often mocking the media. In late September, Prayut mocked a journalist during a press conference with his infamous sentence "I'll smack you with the podium" after he was asked whether he intended to be prime minister from a coup d'état only, but not from an election. In November, Prayut pulled the ears and ruffed the hair of a reporter while the reporter was reaching out with his microphone. In December, Prayut was caught on camera, threw a banana peel at a cameraman's head after getting annoyed by reporters.{{cite news |title=Thai junta leader throws banana peel at cameraman's head |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/4631 |work=Prachatai English |date=24 December 2014 |language=en}}

When Prayut was speaking at an event in Khon Kaen on 11 November 2014, five students called 'Dao Din group' from Khon Kaen University sitting near the podium stood up and flashed a salute seen as a sign of silent dissent against a brutal authoritarian state, inspired by Hollywood film series the Hunger Games, the three-fingered salute was widely used by protesters since May 2014. Army officials later took them to a military camp and were detained for "attitude adjustment". One of the five students, Pai Dao Din, is co-leader of the monarchy reform movement.{{cite news |title=Five Thai students held for 'Hunger Games' salute at PM |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30110280 |work=BBC News |date=19 November 2014}}{{cite news |title=5 Thai students arrested for flashing anti-junta salute |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/5-thai-students-arrested-for-flashing-anti-junta-salute/100019 |work=www.aa.com.tr}}

In February 2015, Prayut declared he had the power to forcefully close media outlets.{{cite news|title=In latest outburst, Thailand's Prayuth reminds reporters of his powers|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/south-east-asia/story/latest-outburst-thailands-prayuth-reminds-reporters-his-powers-20150|access-date=25 March 2015|work=The Straits Times|date=19 February 2015}} In March, when asked how the government would deal with journalists who did not adhere to the government's laws, he replied jokingly,{{cite web|url=https://news.mthai.com/world-news/434555.html|title=มะกัน ไม่เก็ท!! จวกบิ๊กตู่ขู่ 'ประหารนักข่าว'|website=news.mthai.com|language=th}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thairath.co.th/content/489441|title=สหรัฐฯไม่สบายใจ 'บิ๊กตู่' ล้อแรงจะลงโทษนักข่าว|date=27 March 2015|website=www.thairath.co.th}} "We'll probably just execute them".{{cite news|title=Thai PM Prayuth warns media, says has power to execute reporters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-junta-media-idUSKBN0ML0RV20150325|access-date=25 March 2015|work=Reuters|date=25 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316002628/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-junta-media-idUSKBN0ML0RV20150325|archive-date=16 March 2021|url-status=live|last=Hariraksapitak|first=Pracha}} His remarks were condemned by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).{{cite web|title=Thai military leader threatens to execute journalists|url=http://www.ifj.org/nc/news-single-view/backpid/33/article/thai-military-leader-threatens-to-execute-journalists/|website=International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)|access-date=29 March 2015|date=26 March 2015}}

Prayut said in March that his government had elevated the fight against human trafficking to the top of the national agenda, along with drug suppression. He blamed Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, on inaction and ignorance by the Yingluck cabinet. He vowed to ban fishing operators if they are found to violate laws and abuse workers, and that could be extended to other Thai exports like rice or rubber.{{cite news|title=Prayut gives a stern warning to rich fishing operators|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-gives-a-stern-warning-to-rich-fishing-operators|access-date=3 April 2015|publisher=Thai Public Broadcasting Service|date=28 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123111/http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-gives-a-stern-warning-to-rich-fishing-operators|url-status=dead}} He warned the media that reporting on slavery labour in the Thai fishing industry could affect national security.{{cite news|title=Thai Junta Warns Media Against Reporting on Human Trafficking|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1427268620&typecate=06§ion=|access-date=31 March 2015|work=Khaosod English|date=25 March 2015}} Prayut also supported providing more aid to farmers, increasing the sale of Thai rubber to China, and completing a potash mining project to cut farmers' cost of fertiliser. He also encouraged manufacturers to cut packaging costs, particularly "beautiful packaging".{{cite news|title=Prayut pledges to lead country to high income economy|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-pledges-to-lead-country-to-high-income-economy|access-date=24 March 2015|publisher=Thai Public Broadcasting Service|date=23 March 2015|archive-date=9 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209212558/http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-pledges-to-lead-country-to-high-income-economy/|url-status=dead}}

In late March, Prayut announced that he had asked the king's permission to revoke martial law, which had been in place since the coup, to be replaced with Article 44 of the interim constitution. It authorises Prayut to issue "any order to suppress" any act that "undermines public peace and order or national security, the monarchy, national economics, or the administration of state affairs, whether that act emerges inside or outside the Kingdom." Prayut told reporters that he would not use Article 44 to violate the civil rights of anyone who is innocent. Prayut was not required to inform the government before issuing an order, but must notify the interim parliament "without delay".{{cite news|title=Junta Clarifies Scope of Article 44's Sweeping Power|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1427804251§ion=11|access-date=31 March 2015|work=Khaosod English|date=31 March 2015}} He pledged to use Article 44 powers to address the nation's failure to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. He blamed this on staffing issues, noting that the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) only has 13 aviation safety inspectors,{{cite news|title=Chartered flights ban to Japan, South Korea and China worries PM|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/chartered-flights-ban-to-japan-south-korea-and-china-worries-pm|access-date=31 March 2015|publisher=Thai Public Broadcasting Service|date=30 March 2015|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116173232/http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/chartered-flights-ban-to-japan-south-korea-and-china-worries-pm/|url-status=dead}} the DCA employed 1,514.{{cite web|title=DCA's Functions and Responsibilities| url=https://www.aviation.go.th/en/profile/820.html|website=Department of Civil Aviation Thailand|access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216121903/https://www.aviation.go.th/en/profile/820.html |archive-date=16 February 2015}} Prayut later conceded that Article 44 will not be enough to resolve illegal fishing issues within the six-month period stipulated by the EU. He noted that it was a long-standing problem. He reported progress on tackling forest encroachment, saying the government had reclaimed more than 35 million rai (56,000 km²) of illegally occupied public forests.{{cite news|title=Prayut says Section 44 not enough to resolve long standing fishing industry problem|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-says-section-44-not-enough-to-resolve-long-standing-fishing-industry-problem|access-date=25 April 2015|publisher=Thai Public Broadcasting Service|date=25 April 2015}} In June, Prayut vowed to eliminate corruption and repair Thailand's tarnished international image.{{cite news|title=Prayut vows to improve corruption ranking|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/prayut-vows-improve-corruption-ranking|access-date=8 June 2015|publisher=Thai Public Broadcasting Service|date=8 June 2015}}

On the 2015 Bangkok bombing, Prayut suggested that a senior police force educate themselves on how to investigate by watching Blue Bloods, a fictional New York Police crime series.{{cite news|last1=Ehrlich|first1=Richard S.|title=Thai prime minister under fire as Bangkok mosque [sic] bombing probe stalls|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/24/prayuth-chan-ocha-under-fire-as-bangkok-thailand-m/?page=1|access-date=25 August 2015|work=The Washington Times|date=24 August 2015}}{{better source needed|date=October 2021|reason=The Washington Times is reliable enough for mundane political coverage, not for the sole source for a possibly contentious quote like this.}}

Announcing the Public Assembly Act, which took effect on 13 August 2015, Prayut said the law requires that protesters apply for permission from police for rallies at least 24 hours in advance. It bans all demonstrations within 150 m (500 ft) of the government house, the parliament, royal palaces, and courthouses, unless authorised by authorities. It also bars protesters from blocking entrances or creating a disturbance at government offices, airports, seaports, train and bus stations, hospitals, schools, and embassies.{{cite news|title=Law curbing public assembly takes effect in Thailand|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/law-curbing-public-assembly-takes-effect-in-thailand/|access-date=14 August 2015|work=The Seattle Times|agency=Associated Press|date=13 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128115005/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/law-curbing-public-assembly-takes-effect-in-thailand/|archive-date=28 November 2020|url-status=live}} Prayut added that politicians had no right to criticise the draft constitution. Rival politicians have urged the National Reform Council to reject the new charter, citing numerous defects.{{cite news|title=Prayuth Fumes at Politicians Critical of Charter|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440593080&typecate=06§ion=|access-date=28 August 2015|work=Khaosod English|date=26 August 2015}}

On the activation of the Article 44, Bangkok Post commented, "The Article 44 section has no constraint, no oversight, no checks or balances, and no retribution. It says forthrightly that anything done by the NCPO chief is 'legal, constitutional and conclusive'".{{cite news|title=44 reasons to reconsider|url=http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/511467/44-reasons-to-reconsider|access-date=1 April 2015|work=Bangkok Post|date=30 March 2015}} Pravit Rojanaphruk commented, "Article 44 essentially means Prayut is the law...It needs to be added that the junta leader can also insist on staying on in absolute power indefinitely".{{cite news|last1=Rojanaphruk|first1=Pravit|title=Beware of those who see the need for Article 44|url=http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/4928|access-date=1 April 2015|work=Prachatai English|date=1 April 2015}} Doug Bandow of Cato Institute dubbed Prayut as a cartoonish dictator, out of a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, and summed up the military junta first year that Prayut failed to achieve promises, including delivering happiness, prosperity, and security to Thai people.{{cite web |last1=Bandow |first1=Doug |author1-link=Doug Bandow |title=Thailand's Military Delivers Oppression Rather than Happiness |url=https://www.cato.org/blog/thailands-military-delivers-oppression-rather-happiness |website=cato.org |publisher=Cato Institute |date=1 September 2015}}

In 2015, Prayut had supported the lèse-majesté law.{{cite news|title=Junta Chairman Lectures Youth on Thai-style Monarchy & Democracy [Transcript]|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1436349932|access-date=9 July 2015|work=Khaosod English|date=8 July 2015}} His idea on 'Thainess' is to make peace and order. In the end of 2015, he warned academics who criticize him, said that it's up to them if they aren't afraid of the laws,{{cite news|title=Prayuth Can't Guarantee Safety of Academics Who Criticize Him|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1448441773|access-date=1 December 2015|work=Khaosod English|date=25 November 2015}} and denied that his government committed human rights abuses against its critics. He said that detentions of activists were the fault of his opponents for protesting against his rule.{{cite news|last=Hookway|first=James|title=Thai Military Leader Denies Rights Abuses and Claims Massive Support|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/thai-military-leader-denies-rights-abuses-amid-claims-of-massive-support-1450855740|access-date=24 December 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211017123944/https://www.wsj.com/articles/thai-military-leader-denies-rights-abuses-amid-claims-of-massive-support-1450855740|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} Prayut said that he would no longer put up with criticism from "irresponsible newspaper columnists" and had instructed officials to invite them for "talks".{{cite news|title=PM says his patience has limits with biased columnists|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-says-his-patience-has-limits-with-biased-columnists|access-date=26 December 2015|publisher=Thai Public Broadcasting Service|date=26 December 2015}} In November, at the APEC summit at Manila, Prayut told President Barack Obama that concerns about Human rights in Thailand were based on fake news staged by people with bad intentions.{{cite news |last1=Mokkhasen |first1=Sasiwan |title=Prayuth Warns Obama Not to Trust Reports of Rights Abuses |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/2015/11/19/1447938817/ |work=Khaosod English |date=19 November 2015}}

File:H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Thailand (34148528741).jpg, WTTC Global Summit, 2017]]

In January 2016, Prayut dared people to oppose the NCPO, and said that he did not care what the international community would think about it.{{cite web|title=Thailand: Investigate Army Abduction of Student Activist|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/01/22/thailand-investigate-army-abduction-student-activist|website=Human Rights Watch|access-date=23 January 2016|date=22 January 2016}} Prayut also made comments calling for women to look after the home. These comments were condemned as sexist{{cite web|last1=Saiyasombut|first1=Saksith|title=Tongue-Thai'ed – A woman's (supposed) worth in a military man's world|url=https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/02/tongue-thaied-prayuth-and-the-ladies/|work=Asian Correspondent|access-date=1 February 2016|date=1 February 2016}}

Prayut promised a general election in 2015, but he said in February 2016 that it will take place in 2017, amid delays in the drafting of the constitution.{{cite news |title=Thai PM Prayuth assures general election in 2017 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-thailand-politics/thai-pm-prayuth-assures-general-election-in-2017-idUKKCN0VA1RT |work=Reuters |date=1 February 2016 |language=en}} The first draft was expected to be released in January 2016.{{cite news |title=Military rule jeopardizing Thailand's future|url=https://www.dw.com/en/military-rule-jeopardizing-thailands-future/a-18916631 |work=DW.COM |date=14 December 2015}} At a summit meeting with Southeast Asian leaders in California, Prayut was invited by US President Barack Obama, which was criticized by human rights activists, opposition party leaders and scholars, warning that the invitation will suggest Washington's endorsement of the military dictatorship.{{cite news |title=Obama takes heat for inviting Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand coup leader, to summit |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/3/obama-takes-heat-for-inviting-prayuth-chan-ocha-th/ |work=The Washington Times |date=3 February 2016}}

In March, while Prayut attended the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC, he gave an interview to the Voice of America, where he claimed that disaffected politicians, who had fled Thailand following the 2014 coup, had hired lobbyists in the US to spread propaganda discrediting his government. He cited reports that his government had murdered 400–500 journalists and had imprisoned thousands of Thai citizens, in spite of the fact that there are no reports of such stories.{{cite news|last1=Prateepchaikul|first1=Veera|title=Regime is too sensitive to criticism for its own good|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/920117/regime-is-too-sensitive-to-criticism-for-its-own-good|access-date=4 April 2016|work=Bangkok Post|date=4 April 2016}}{{cite news|last1=George|first1=Harrison|title=Help! The paranoids are after me!|url=http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6040|access-date=13 April 2016|work=Prachatai English|department=Editorial|date=13 April 2016}} In April, Prayut questioned why people asked for democracy and human rights.{{cite news|last1=Maketab|first1=Hanis|title=Thai junta makes it clear it is not interested in democracy|url=https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/04/thai-junta-makes-it-clear-it-is-not-interested-in-democracy/|access-date=25 April 2016|work=Asian Correspondent|date=21 April 2016}} In July, Prayut said that if the August draft constitution referendum were to be voted down, he would draft another by himself, adding that he could do anything since he has survived military parachute training.{{cite news|title=If referendum fails, I will draft constitution myself: Thai junta head| url=http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6351|access-date=13 July 2016|work=Prachatai English|date=11 July 2016}} The following day Prayut retracted his statement and blamed the media for highlighting his thoughtless words and putting him in a bad mood.{{cite news|title=No, I won't draft charter myself: junta head reverses earlier statement|url=http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6357|access-date=13 July 2016 |work=Prachatai English |date=12 July 2016}}

In August, Prayut said the result of 2016 Thai constitutional referendum was a step towards "a bona fide democracy" and free from corruption, even though the NCPO had banned debate and campaigning from the opposition. The United States, European Union, and United Nations all criticized the ban.{{cite news |title=Victory for generals as Thais vote for junta charter |url=https://www.rappler.com/world/142204-thailand-referendum-junta-constitution/ |work=RAPPLER |date=7 August 2016}}

Buddhism in Thailand has come under significantly higher state control during Prayut's premiership. In 2016, Prayut stalled a decision by the Sangha Supreme Council by refusing to submit the nomination for Supreme Patriarch of Somdet Chuang, a Maha Nikaya monk who was next in line for the position.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/national/aec/30290322|title=Prayut refuses to submit nomination of Somdet Chuang as Supreme Patriarch|work=The Nation|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118150631/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/aec/30290322|url-status=live}} The appointment was stalled until a law passed that allowed the Thai government to bypass the Sangha Supreme Council and appoint the Supreme Patriarch directly.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/breakingnews/30303081|title=NLA passes Sangha Act amendment bill|date=29 December 2016|work=The Nation|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230152743/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30303081|url-status=live}} This led to the appointment of a monk from the Dhammayuttika Nikaya instead by King Vajiralongkorn, who chose the name out of one of five given to him by Prayut.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1194416/somdet-phra-maha-muniwong-new-supreme-patriarch|title=Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong new Supreme Patriarch|work=Bangkok Post|date=7 February 2017 |access-date=9 February 2017}}

Prayut also used article 44 to replace the head of the National Office of Buddhism with a Department of Special Investigation (DSI) official.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/thailand-buddhism-idINKBN1640EX|title=Thai junta replaces director of Buddhism department with policeman|work=Reuters|last=Satrusayang|first=Cod|date=25 February 2017|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017111340/https://www.reuters.com/article/thailand-buddhism-idINKBN1640EX|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}} However, in August, Prayut removed him from the post after religious groups called on the government to fire him because of his reform plans, which were viewed as damaging to the image of monks.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/thailand-buddhism-idINKCN1B91EP|title=Thailand's Buddhism chief removed after pressure from religious groups|last1=Tanakasempipat|first1=Patpicha|date=29 August 2017|access-date=29 August 2017|work=Reuters|last2=Niyomyat|first2=Aukkarapon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033234/https://www.reuters.com/article/thailand-buddhism-idINKCN1B91EP|archive-date=12 November 2020}}

===Reign of Vajiralongkorn===

File:Vladimir Putin meeting Prayut Chan-o-cha (2016-05-19)-06.jpg, with in the ASEAN–Russia Summit in Sochi, 2016]]

File:Secretary Wilbur Ross in Bangkok (37336576812).jpg, 2017]]

File:Rodrigo Duterte in Thailand (March 22,2017) 17.jpg, 2017]]

On 13 October 2016, King Bhumibol died. Prayut said the nation would hold a one-year mourning period. He ordered flags to fly at half-mast, entertainment activities to toned down for one month. He urged people to stay safe and pointed that national security was a top priority before King Vajiralongkorn unofficially become the new monarch.{{cite news |title=Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dead at 88 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37643326 |work=BBC News |date=13 October 2016}} It is believed that Prayut and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda were largely responsible for ensuring the succession of the widely unpopular Vajiralongkorn, in opposition to elements in the military, government, and the public who preferred his far more popular and respected sister Sirindhorn.{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/10/after-thai-king-bhumibols-death-succession-may-be-delayed/|title=After Thai King Bhumibol's Death, Succession May be Delayed }}

In February 2017, Prayut asked the public not to be obsessed with democracy, rights, and liberties. He said people should take into consideration other principles, especially existing laws, to find "proper logic". He stated that the government cannot be swayed by the public's feelings. Prayut said that societal conflicts arise from social and economic disparity and an educational system that fails to instill a proper way of thinking.{{cite news|title=PM urges against rights 'obsession'|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1196409/pm-urges-against-rights-obsession|access-date=15 February 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=11 February 2017}} In December, Prayut defended Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, blaming the media for asking questions about possible improprieties in order to divide Prayut and Prawit. Prawit was in the media spotlight for wearing a watch and ring worth millions of baht.{{cite news|last1=Sattaburuthwassana|first1=Aekarach|title=PM rips media over Prawit bling furore|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1377663/pm-rips-media-over-prawit-bling-furore|access-date=13 December 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=13 December 2017}}

On 16 July 2017, Prayut and the legislature issued the Crown Property law, making King Vajiralongkorn in control of the world's largest royal fortune.{{cite news |last1=Parry |first1=Richard Lloyd |title=Thai ruler boosts his power with $30bn property portfolio |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/thai-ruler-boosts-his-power-with-30bn-property-portfolio-08jsw7czm |date=17 July 2017 |language=en}}

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Prayut Chan-o-cha, on the sidelines of the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 31, 2018 (1).JPG, 2018]]

In February 2018, Prayut took steps to end sex tourism in Pattaya.{{cite news|title=PM calls for end to 'sex tourism image'|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1419511/pm-calls-for-end-to-sex-tourism-image|access-date=6 March 2018|work=Bangkok Post|date=28 February 2018}} In May, the NCPO launched raids of temples to arrest several monks, including Buddha Issara, known for his support of Prayut.{{Cite news|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2018/05/24/buddha-issara-accused-of-forging-royal-emblem/|title=Buddha Issara Accused of Royal Forgery|date=24 May 2018|work=Khaosod English|access-date=25 May 2018}} In November, Prayut claimed that Thailand's economic slowdown was not attributable to his government, but due to the international economic situation. He stated his goal of moving Thailand from a middle income economy to a high income economy through the Thailand 4.0 development initiative that aims to transform the country into a more value-based and innovation driven society. It's flagship project is the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in the eastern part of Thailand to attract foreign investment, medical care and renewable energy.{{cite web |title=Development Goals |url=https://www.eeco.or.th/en/content/development-goals |website=Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209212707/https://www.eeco.or.th/en/content/development-goals |archive-date=9 December 2018 |date=15 November 2018}}

On 10 February 2018, Arnon Nampa and two others led 200–500 protesters at the Democracy Monument to demand a general election in 2018 and to criticize Prayut and Prawit Wongsuwan.{{cite news |title=เงินประกันคนละ 1 แสน ปล่อยตัว 3 แกนนำ "คนอยากเลือกตั้ง" |url=https://www.bbc.com/thai/thailand-43014657 |work=BBC News ไทย |date=10 February 2018 |language=th |trans-title=100,000 baht bail per person, release 3 leaders}} The police charged them with sedition under the order of Prayut.{{cite web |title=การชุมนุมของกลุ่มคนอยากเลือกตั้งที่ถนนราชดำเนิน #RDN50 (คดีผู้ร่วมชุมนุม) |url=https://freedom.ilaw.or.th/case/822#progress_of_case |website=freedom.ilaw.or.th |language=th |trans-title=Political rally of the people who want an election at Ratchadamnoen #RDN50 }}

File:Prayut Chan-o-cha quote poster in BTS Skytrain 03.jpg, displaying Prayut on the train]]

File:Secretary Pompeo Meets With Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (48437845741).jpg, 2019]]

File:191116-D-AP390-2036 (49080195361).jpg]]

Under the 2017 constitution, the senate was appointed by the NCPO and would select the prime minister alongside the House of Representatives.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1565758/young-voters-find-voice|title=Young voters find voice| last1=Jotikasthira |first1=Om|last2=Sabpaitoon |first2=Patpon |work=Bangkok Post|date=28 October 2018|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212221245/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1565758/young-voters-find-voice|archive-date=12 February 2020|url-status=live}} Political parties were able to nominate anyone as their prime minister candidate, including non-party members, which led commentators to believe that Prayut planned to be selected as prime minister with votes from 250 senators and MPs from pro-junta parties, namely the Phalang Pracharat Party, which has close ties to the junta and is led by Prayut's cabinet ministers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1546578/pm-allows-ministers-to-back-parties|title=PM allows ministers to back parties|last1=Sattaburuth|first1=Aekarach |last2=Bangprapa |first2=Mongkok |work=Bangkok Post|date=26 September 2018 |access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212224329/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1546578/pm-allows-ministers-to-back-parties|archive-date=12 February 2020|url-status=live}} In November 2018, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told the audience at a Forbes conference that he believes the next prime minister will look like Prayut.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1568014/face-of-next-pm-will-be-similar-to-prayut|title=Face of next PM will 'be similar to Prayut'|last=Arunmas|first=Phusadee |work=Bangkok Post|date=1 November 2018|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212205118/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1568014/face-of-next-pm-will-be-similar-to-prayut|archive-date=12 February 2020|url-status=live}} In late January 2019, four Prayut cabinet ministers resigned from their government positions to work for Phalang Pracharat full-time.{{cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1619878/palang-pracharath-ministers-resign-from-cabinet|title=Palang Pracharath ministers resign from cabinet|work=Bangkok Post|access-date=30 January 2019|date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212192511/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1619878/palang-pracharath-ministers-resign-from-cabinet|archive-date=12 February 2020|url-status=live}} Prayut expressed his desire to continue serving as prime minister after the 2019 election. While he was not a member of any political party or campaigning in any official capacity, many journalists and commentators believed Prayut intended to stay in power using the changes in the new constitution.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/opinion/30359420|title=Election has already been won, so what now?|website=The Nation|date=28 November 2018|department=Opinion|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-date=24 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324024430/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30359420|url-status=live}} Phalang Pracharat Party announced that their list of candidates for prime minister included Prayut.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/breakingnews/30363250|title=Pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party proposes Prayut for next premier|work=The Nation|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=24 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324212928/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30363250|url-status=live}}

After the 2019 election, the National Assembly convened on 5 June and elected Prayut as the next prime minister, defeating Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of the anti-junta Future Forward Party 500 votes to 244, in which 249 of 500 votes came from a near-unanimous body of senators appointed by the junta (NCPO).{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/06/asia/thailand-prime-minister-prayut-intl/index.html|title=Thailand's junta chief elected as country's next prime minister|author1=Helen Regan |author2=Kocha Olarn|website=CNN|access-date=9 July 2019}} The coalition government is composed of pro-Prayut camps and smaller parties who benefited from multiple technical interpretations of the election law by a military-controlled Election Commission, including a 44-day hiatus while the election laws were reinterpreted to pave way for a coalition with the state military party at the helm.{{Cite news|title=EC to push ahead with formula|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1667044/ec-to-push-ahead-with-formula|access-date=23 August 2020|website=Bangkok Post|date=26 April 2019 }} Via NCPO mechanisms, Prayut has appointed allies to the Senate, Constitutional Court, various Constitutional organizations, including the Election Commission, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission{{Cite journal|last=Sawasdee|first=Siripan Nogsuan|date=12 December 2019|title=Electoral integrity and the repercussions of institutional manipulations: The 2019 general election in Thailand|journal=Asian Journal of Comparative Politics|volume=5|issue=1|pages=52–68|doi=10.1177/2057891119892321|s2cid=213208424|issn=2057-8911}} as well as officials at the local government level. Substantively amending the Constitution is almost impossible as it would require both Senate support and a referendum.{{Cite news|title=Senate must give way|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1973291/senate-must-give-way|access-date=24 August 2020|newspaper=Bangkok Post|date=24 August 2020 }}

In 2020, major protests broke out again with demonstrations against the government of Prayut. The protests expanded to include unprecedented demands for reform of the Thai monarchy. The protests were initially triggered by the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP), a major opposition party, and the changes to the Thai constitution in 2017 by the NCPO. On 15 July, netizens were infuriated by the privileged treatment of "VIP guests" who were later revealed to have tested positive for Coronavirus,{{Cite web|date=19 July 2020|title=ปชช.กังวลทหารอียิปต์-ครอบครัวซูดาน ทำ COVID-19 ระบาดใหม่|url=https://news.thaipbs.or.th/content/294711|url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2020|website=Thai PBS| trans-title= Ppl. concerned [about] Egyptian soldier-Sudanese family to cause new COVID-19 pandemic | language=th|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724184045/https://news.thaipbs.or.th/content/294711|archive-date=24 July 2020}} as well as its failure to boost the heavily affected tourism industry.{{Cite web|date=15 July 2020|title=หละหลวม ปล่อยทหารอียิปต์ติดโควิด เข้ามา ท่องเที่ยวระยองพังหนัก รอวันตาย |trans-title= Careless. Let COVID infected Egyptian soldier in. Rayong tourism heavily damaged, waiting to die. |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/news/local/east/1889269|url-status=live|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Thairath|language=th|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724201200/https://www.thairath.co.th/news/local/east/1889269|archive-date=24 July 2020}}{{Cite web|date=14 July 2020|title=ท่องเที่ยวระยองพังพินาศ แห่ถอนจองโรงแรมรีสอร์ท90% |trans-title = Rayong tourism devastated. 90% hotel-resort booking canceled |url=https://www.dailynews.co.th/regional/784774|url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2020|website=Dailynews|language=th|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724190605/https://www.dailynews.co.th/regional/784774|archive-date=24 July 2020}} On the same day, Prayut made a visit to Rayong Province. Two protesters, including Panupong Jadnok, held signs calling for his resignation prior to the arrival; both were immediately arrested and reportedly beaten by the police, causing outrage on Twitter.{{Cite web|date=15 July 2020|title=โซเชียลเดือด ดันแฮชแท็ก #ตํารวจระยองอุ้มประชาชน ปม 2 วัยรุ่นชูป้ายไล่นายกฯ|url=https://www.thairath.co.th/news/society/1890191|url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2020 |trans-title= Social boiled. Push hash tag 'Rayong police arrest people' in incident of two teens holding signs. |website=Thairath|language=th|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724184303/https://www.thairath.co.th/news/society/1890191|archive-date=24 July 2020}} In August, Prayut personally ordered Apiwat Kanthong, his lawyer, to file charges against Arnon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok with sedition.{{cite news |title=Two activists under arrest for sedition, violating Emergency Decree |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/8703 |work=Prachatai English |date=7 August 2020 |language=en}}

In October, Khaosod English and Bangkok Post editorials called for Prayut to resign, but both did not press the demands to draft a new constitution and reform the monarchy.{{Cite web|last=English|first=Khaosod|date=16 October 2020|title=Editorial: Prayut Has Lost All Legitimacy. He Must Go.|url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2020/10/17/editorial-prayut-has-lost-all-legitimacy-he-must-go/|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Khaosod English|language=en-US|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019152736/https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2020/10/17/editorial-prayut-has-lost-all-legitimacy-he-must-go/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Listen to the young|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2004247/listen-to-the-young|access-date=19 October 2020|website=Bangkok Post|date=19 October 2020 }} Nevertheless, Prayut blamed the protesters for further damaging the country's economy.{{cite news |title=Prayut says the economic situation will not recover because of the protesters |url=https://www.thaienquirer.com/19568/prayut-says-the-economic-situation-will-not-recover-because-of-the-protesters/ |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=Thai Enquirer |date=12 October 2020 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012150358/https://www.thaienquirer.com/19568/prayut-says-the-economic-situation-will-not-recover-because-of-the-protesters/ |url-status=live }}

Patrick Jory, a senior lecturer in Southeast Asian history at the University of Queensland, described the unpredictable nature of the King and "his willingness to use violence," and says that he may have pressured Prayut to suppress the protesters.{{cite news |title=Can Thai monarchy emerge unscathed as it faces its greatest challenge? |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3107847/thai-political-crisis-can-king-vajiralongkorn-and-monarchy |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=South China Morning Post |date=31 October 2020 |language=en |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031231929/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3107847/thai-political-crisis-can-king-vajiralongkorn-and-monarchy |url-status=live }}

On 2 December 2020, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of Prayut in a conflict-of-interest case over his use of military housing. The former army chief had been living in a military residence after retiring from the army in 2014, months after he led the coup over the elected government. The ruling allowed Prayut to remain in power. Thousands of protesters gathered at Lat Phrao Intersection to protest the verdict.{{cite news|first1=Patpicha|last1=Tanakasempipat|first2=Panarat|last2=Thepgumpanat|title=Thai PM found not guilty in conflict of interest case|date=2 December 2020|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN28C13G|access-date=3 December 2020}}{{cite news|first=Masayuki|last=Yuda|title= Thailand PM survives removal threat at Constitutional Court|date=2 December 2020|work=Nikkei Asia|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Turbulent-Thailand/Thailand-PM-survives-removal-threat-at-Constitutional-Court|access-date=3 December 2020}}File:Secretary Blinken Poses for a Photo with Prime Minister Chan-o-cha (52205057487) (cropped).jpg, 2022]]

On 28 February 2021, as the movement was trying to rebuild momentum since the jailing of core protesters,{{cite news |title=Thai Marchers Link Democracy Cause To Myanmar Protests |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2021/03/01/thai-activists-link-their-democracy-cause-to-myanmar-protests/ |access-date=3 March 2021 |work=Khaosod English |date=1 March 2021}} the Free Youth group held an event at 1st Infantry Regiment, where Prayut's residence and the headquarter of the King's Close Bodyguard are located. The skirmishes between both sides began in the evening, shortly before a decision to disperse. Some hardline protesters held their ground and threw objects at the police. The police retaliated by employing water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. According to Bangkok's emergency medical service, 10 protesters and 22 police officers were injured.{{cite news |title=Activists Weigh on 'Leaderless' Protest Tactic After Night of Clashes |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2021/03/01/activists-weigh-on-leaderless-protest-tactic-after-night-of-clashes/ |access-date=1 March 2021 |work=Khaosod English |date=1 March 2021}} On 7 August 2021, the Free Youth group planned a march to Prayut's house again. Thai riot police closed the Din Daeng area to prevent protesters from going near Prayut's house. The police fired tear gas at them. Around 6pm, a police truck was burned near the Victory Monument.{{cite news |title=Thai police fire tear gas at protest over COVID response |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-1e3dc627a28ab4f71449e4d5fa3d0ae6 |work=AP NEWS |date=7 August 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Tam Mei |title=Thai anti-govt protesters, angry with Covid-19 response, clash with police in Bangkok |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thai-anti-government-protesters-clash-with-police-in-bangkok |work=The Straits Times |date=7 August 2021 |language=en}}

File:220613-D-TT977-0296 (52142986618).jpg, 2022]]

File:P20221113AS-0651 (52650920751).jpg, East Asian Leaders Summit, 2022]]

A 2019 Human Rights Watch reported that as the newly elected government of Prayut assumed power in mid-2019, Thailand's human rights record showed no signs of change.{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Taylor |title=Thailand fails to address rights abuse: HRW |url=https://aseaneconomist.com/thailand-fails-to-address-rights-abuse-hrw/ |access-date=25 July 2019 |work=ASEAN Economist |date=25 July 2019}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite book |title=To Speak Out is Dangerous; Criminalization of Peaceful Expression in Thailand |date=October 2019 |publisher=Human Rights Watch|location=New York |isbn=9781623137724 |url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/thailand1019_web.pdf |access-date=26 October 2019}}{{RP|7-8}}

In early 2021, the Thai government, led by Prayut, had adopted a draft law, Draft Act on the Operations of Not-for-Profit Organizations, to regulate non-governmental organization (NGOs). The bill was mentioned by Amnesty International as an effort to silence civil society groups and NGOs.{{cite web |title=NGO law would strike severe blow to human rights in Thailand |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/04/thailand-ngo-law-severe-blow-human-rights/ |website=Amnesty International |language=en |date=2 April 2021}}

In September 2021, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Move Forward Party MP, released videos, voice clips, and documents regarding military operations creating fake social media accounts to operate information warfare against the people. The Internal Security Operations Command, head by Prayut, was also involved in deep monitoring of opposition politicians, seen as Prayut's political enemies, along with Thai activists.{{cite news |title=PM involvement in 'Information Operations' raised in no-confidence debate |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/9435 |work=Prachatai English |date=2021}}

In November 2021, Prayut ordered the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Interior to check if Amnesty International had violated any Thai laws following the campaign's support of the repeal of lèse-majesté law regarding a contentious ruling by the Constitutional Court against the 2020 Thai protests calling for reform of the monarchy.{{cite news |title=War on Amnesty the wrong battle |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2226891/war-on-amnesty-the-wrong-battle |work=Bangkok Post |date=2021}} On 1 December, a 28-year-old noodle vendor made headline news by asking Prayut to retire quickly to allow others to perform the duties of his office. She voiced that Thailand needs more development. She was welcomed by people in Ban Dung District in Udon Thani. Later Ban Dung police came to her house, asking to see her so that they could keep a record of her, but she declined to meet them, saying she had done nothing wrong. The police detained her later.{{cite news |title=Police reportedly visit woman who irritated Prayut |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2226783/police-reportedly-visit-woman-who-irritated-prayut |work=Bangkok Post |date=2021}}

On 4 December, Prayut said "The most important thing today is that we do two things. The government does two things. The first is equality and equal opportunity. Every Thai person must have the opportunity to use a car, use the road, use a bridge, and take advantage of anything from basic utilities. Rich people themselves paid for the tollway. Low-income people also use the route below. They will not be crowded with each other. I think this is equality, access to opportunities, and travel, but today, many things have happened in the past two governments.".{{cite news |title=ความเท่าเทียมในมุมของ 'ประยุทธ์' คนรวยใช้เส้นทางเสียเงิน คนรายได้น้อยใช้เส้นทางข้างล่าง |url=https://workpointtoday.com/equality-prayuth/ |work=workpointTODAY |date=2021 |language=th}}

In June 2020, Prayut told reporters that King Vajiralongkorn had instructed his government not to use the lèse majesté law.{{Cite news |last=English |first=Khaosod |date=2020-06-15 |title=HM King Puts Stop on Uses of Royal Insult Law: PM |language=en-US |work=Khaosod English |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/06/15/hm-king-puts-stop-on-uses-of-royal-insult-law-pm/ |access-date=2023-02-20}} At the time, the lèse majesté law had not been used since 2018, with the government preferring to use the sedition law and the Computer Crime Act instead.{{cite news |date=15 January 2019 |title=Changes in Thailand's lèse majesté prosecutions in 2018 |work=Thai Lawyers for Human Rights |url=https://www.tlhr2014.com/?p=10431&lang=en |url-status=live |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102023924/https://tlhr2014.com/?p=10431&lang=en |archive-date=2 November 2020}}

However, later in November 2020, the government resumed its use of the lèse majesté law, filing charges against protesters and activists.{{Cite news |date=2020-11-24 |title=Thailand revives law banning criticism of king in bid to curb protests |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55062397 |access-date=2023-02-20}} Sulak Sivaraksa, a well-known Thai royalist scholar, decried Prayut's using the lèse-majesté law and called for Prayut's removal from office.{{cite news |date=26 November 2020 |title=Thailand latest: Kingdom's top scholar calls for Prayuth's removal |work=Nikkei Asia |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Turbulent-Thailand/Thailand-latest-Kingdom-s-top-scholar-calls-for-Prayuth-s-removal |access-date=27 November 2020}} The leading figures of the monarchy reform protests were all detained and awaited trial in 2021, in a series of detainments and releases, some were imprisoned accumulatively for more than 200 days.{{cite journal |date=12 August 2021 |title=Thailand: Arbitrary detention of eight pro-democracy activists |url=https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/human-rights-defenders/thailand-arbitrary-detention-of-eight-pro-democracy-activists |journal=International Federation for Human Rights |language=en |access-date=28 September 2021}}File:Fumio Kishida and Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Prime Minister's Office 2022 (1).jpg, 2022]]

The 2017 constitution, adopted under Prayut's ruling junta, sets a term limit of eight years for prime ministers. If counting from the beginning of Prayut's premiership while he was head of the military junta after the 2014 coup, this eight-year duration ended on 23 August 2022. Accordingly, opposition politicians made legal challenges to his continued government,{{Cite web |last=Strangio |first=Sebastian |date=3 August 2022 |title=Thai Opposition Seeks to Curtail PM Prayut's Term in Office |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/thai-opposition-seeks-to-curtail-pm-prayuts-term-in-office/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}} while pro-democracy protesters and activists again gathered to demand his resignation. His supporters defended a continued premiership, arguing that the eight-year duration should be counted from when the 2017 constitution went into force or from the beginning of Prayut's civilian administration after the 2019 elections.{{Cite news |last=Thepgumpanat |first=Panarat |date=2022-08-24 |title=Thai court suspends PM Prayuth pending term limit review |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-court-suspends-pm-prayuth-chan-ocha-official-duty-pending-result-term-limit-2022-08-24/ |access-date=2022-08-24}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-08-23 |title=Constitutional Court Asked To Rule If Prayut Must Step Down |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2022/08/23/constitutional-court-asked-to-rule-if-prayut-must-step-down/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=Khaosod English |language=en-US}} On 24 August, the Constitutional Court of Thailand declared that Prayut was suspended as prime minister while it reviewed the issue.{{Cite news |date=2022-08-24 |title=Prayuth Chan-ocha: Thai court suspends PM from office |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62656348 |access-date=2022-08-24}} As the most senior deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan was made acting prime minister.{{Cite web |title=Thai court suspends PM Prayuth; Prawit made acting PM |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Turbulent-Thailand/Thai-court-suspends-PM-Prayuth-Prawit-made-acting-PM |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}} On 30 September, the court ruled 6–3 that the eight-year period should be counted from the promulgation of the 2017 constitution, allowing him to continue his premiership, potentially until 2025 had he been re-elected following the election in 2023.{{Cite news |last1=Wongcha-um |first1=Panu |last2=Thepgumpanat |first2=Panarat |date=2022-09-30 |title=Thai court clears way for PM Prayuth's return from suspension |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-court-rules-pm-prayuth-has-not-exceeded-8-year-limit-office-2022-09-30/ |access-date=2022-09-30}}

On 30 November 2022, a 66-year-old man named Wichan Gaweewong was arrested for attempted assassination after being found with a pen gun at a seminar Prayut was attending. Wichan claimed the weapon belonged to his deceased son.{{cite news |title=เชียงรายระทึก! EOD ตรวจค้น ยึดปืนปากกาไทยประดิษฐ์ พกมางาน "บิ๊กตู่" รวบตัวได้ทัน |trans-title= Chiang Rai thrills! EOD searched, confiscated a Thai Pradit pen gun, brought to the "Big Tu" event, caught in time |language=th|url=https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87/185694 |access-date=16 July 2023 |work=PPTV |date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301110833/https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/การเมือง/185694 |archive-date=1 March 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Petpailin |first1=Petch |title=Man armed with a pen gun arrested at seminar visited by PM Prayut |url=https://thethaiger.com/news/national/man-armed-with-a-pen-gun-arrested-at-seminar-visited-by-pm-prayut |access-date=16 July 2023 |work=Thaiger |date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301110842/https://thethaiger.com/news/national/man-armed-with-a-pen-gun-arrested-at-seminar-visited-by-pm-prayut |archive-date=1 March 2023|url-status=live}}

File:2023 TH-election Row-of-speaker-cars IMG20230423160504.jpg campaign in 2023 Thai general election with an election sign of Prayut as the party's prime minister candidate]]

Prayut joined United Thai Nation Party on 23 December 2022 as Chairman of United Thai Nation Party for Guidelines and Strategic Committee to run 2023 Thai general election.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-23 |title=Prayut to run as PM candidate for a new party in the next election |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023377 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=nationthailand |language=en}}

In the 2023 general election, Prayut's coalition won only 15% of the seats.{{cite news |date=14 May 2023 |title=Thailand elections: Voters deliver stunning win for reform |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65567781 |access-date=15 May 2023}} On 11 July 2023, Prayut announced he would retire from politics and resign as a member of the United Thai Nation Party, but he will continue to serve as acting prime minister until a new government is formed to replace him.[https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/11/asia/thailand-prayut-announces-retirement-intl-hnk/index.html Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announces retirement from politics][https://www.thaipost.net/one-newspaper/412445/ บิ๊กตู่ประกาศวางมือ ตัดจบรัฐบาลเสียงข้างน้อย อนุทินเปรียบรีเซตการเมือง]

On 22 August 2023, Prayut stepped down from the position of prime minister as per the law, following the announcement in the Royal Gazette of the appointment of the new prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, who had received the king's endorsement.[https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40030447 Prayut congratulates Srettha, reckons new Cabinet will be ready soon] On 24 August 2023 Prayut invited Srettha to join the talk to forward the work at the Government House of Thailand. This is the first time in Thailand that there was an inviting of the previous prime minister and the new prime minister to talk about handover of work.[https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2634569/outgoing-pm-prayut-reshuffling-top-brass Outgoing PM Prayut reshuffling top brass ]

On 31 August 2023, Prayut worked at Government House for the last day as prime minister. There was a farewell ceremony for government officials and media officials at Government House.[https://www.thaipost.net/hi-light/440441/ กำลังใจล้น! 'ลุงตู่' เข้าทำเนียบวันสุดท้าย 'อนุชา-แรมโบ้-สว.ก๊วนเพื่อนร่วมรุ่น' ตบเท้าอำลา][https://thestandard.co/prayut-government-house-last-day-2/ ประยุทธ์เข้าทำงานทำเนียบวันสุดท้าย สักการะศาลพระภูมิเจ้าที่-ศาลตายาย พร้อมอธิษฐานขอบ้านเมืองสงบร่มเย็น] Prayut began to live and work as former prime minister in a house located in the area of 1st Infantry Regiment, Phaya Thai District, Bangkok.[https://www.thairath.co.th/news/politic/1989747 บ้านพักนายกฯตู่ไม่ธรรมดา เทียบชั้นทำเนียบขาวได้เลย]

King Vajiralongkorn has appointed Prayut as a Privy Councilor on 29 November 2023.[https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A1/181659 เปิดประวัติ พล.อ.ประยุทธ์ จากนายกรัฐมนตรี คนที่ 29 สู่องคมนตรี]

Prayut's nickname is "Tuu" ({{Langx|th|ตู่}}; {{RTGS|Tu}}),{{cite news|title=Top Adviser to HM King Showers Praises on Junta|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440569441&typecate=06§ion=|access-date=28 August 2015|work=Khaosod English|date=26 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192420/http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440569441&typecate=06§ion=|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} and he is known as "Big Tuu" ({{Langx|th|บิ๊กตู่}}; {{RTGS|Bik Tu}}) or "Uncle Tuu" ({{Langx|th|ลุงตู่}}; {{RTGS|Lung Tu}}) by his supporters. The opposition has parodied his name, calling him "Toob" ({{Langx|th|ตูบ}}; literally: Dog),{{cite web|url=https://www.matichonweekly.com/scoop/article_69570|title=ใครเริ่มเรียก 'ลุงตู่' คนแรก ? ดังข้ามปี ชื่อนี้ที่มา ไม่ธรรมดา !!|author=ปรัชญา นงนุช|date=10 December 2017 |publisher=มติชนสุดสัปดาห์|access-date=25 May 2019}}{{cite web|title=Open the cause! Why do people care so much about royal family treasures: Shallow News in Depth 263 (เปิดสาเหตุ! ทำไมประชาชน ต้องสนใจกับสมบัติของเจ้า กันหนักหนา: เจาะข่าวตื้น 263); at 19:13| date=3 December 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49oxzyo32Cc|via=YouTube|access-date=7 July 2021}} sometimes also has parodied his name as "Fishstop Moon O'Tea" (convert words to English by each syllables).{{cite web|title=Escape FishStop 3D|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1552680/Escape_FishStop_3D/?l=thai|via=Steam|access-date=24 December 2022}}{{cite web|title= PPAP Pen Pineapple Apple Pen – Bie The Ska (Parody)| date=27 September 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhJkm6Cbx3Y|via=Youtube|access-date=24 December 2022}} He is married to Naraporn Chan-o-cha, a former associate professor at Chulalongkorn University's Language Institute.{{cite news |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/428293/general-gets-ready-to-swap-into-civvies |title=General gets ready to swap into civvies |last=Nanuam |first=Wassana |date=23 August 2014 |work=Bangkok Post |access-date=4 September 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211017120309/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/428293/general-gets-ready-to-swap-into-civvies |archive-date=17 October 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=First family keeps low profile|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/politics/30241498|access-date=22 November 2014|work=The Nation|date=22 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017121455/https://www.nationthailand.com/politics/30241498|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}} She has served as president of the Army Wives' Association since Prayut's selection as army chief in 2010, and is involved with distance learning organisations, for whom she teaches English on a long-distance learning television channel. She claimed to have told her husband to cool down when speaking to the media. Moreover, she told reporters that she was "looking after" her husband, taking responsibility for his clothes, makeup and haircut. According to her, Prayut was dressed "in the English style", wore shoes by Church's and suits tailored at "Broadway".{{cite news|last1=Chachavalpongpun|first1=Pavin|title=Prayuth's Wife Called Thailand's 'Most Able'|url=https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/ablest-woman-thailand-naraporn-chan-ocha|access-date=27 June 2015|work=Asia Sentinel|date=5 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025225057/https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/ablest-woman-thailand-naraporn-chan-ocha|archive-date=25 October 2020|url-status=live}} Prayut and Naraporn have twin daughters, Thanya ({{Langx|th|ธัญญา}}) and Nittha ({{Langx|th|นิฏฐา}}), "...twenty-something twin daughters [who] enjoyed brief success a few years ago as a punk-lite pop duo called BADZ—..."

Prayut has stated publicly that he consults a fortune teller, Warin Buawiratlert, regularly.{{cite news|last1=Thongnoi|first1=Jitsiree|title=Prayut, the fortune teller and the ghost of the guru| url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/690736/prayut-the-fortune-teller-and-the-ghost-of-the-guru|access-date=13 September 2015|work=Bangkok Post|date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211017114914/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/690736/prayut-the-fortune-teller-and-the-ghost-of-the-guru|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}} He said that there was no harm in seeking advice. When suffering from fever and aches early in his premiership, he blamed his ills on spells cast by his political enemies and combated the malady with holy water.{{cite news|last1=Satrusayang|first1=Cod|title=Addicted to superstition: Thailand's 21st century mystics|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/457038/addicted-to-superstition-thailand-21st-century-mystics|access-date=16 January 2015|work=Bangkok Post|date=15 January 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211017114835/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/457038/addicted-to-superstition-thailand-21st-century-mystics|archive-date=17 October 2021|url-status=live}}

According to the Bangkok Post, Prayut has a collection of lucky rings which he wears daily in accordance with that day's activities. He also wears an elephant hair bracelet to ward off bad luck.{{cite news|last=Fernquest|first=Jon|title=PM Prayuth's lucky rings|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/432936/|website=Bangkok Post|access-date=31 March 2015|date=18 September 2014}} He has revived the tradition of wearing the phraratchathan, first popularised by Prem Tinsulanonda in the 1980s, and has instructed cabinet members to dress in the phraratchathan at meetings, rather than in Western suits.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prayut was fined 6,000 baht for not wearing a face mask in an April 2021 meeting on COVID-19 vaccination.{{cite news |last=Sivasomboon |first=Busaba |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-thailand-bangkok-coronavirus-business-b9f89c920164494ac50a1f008198b895 |title=Thailand's prime minister fined for breaking face mask rule |work=Associated Press |date=26 April 2021 |access-date=20 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512005354/https://apnews.com/article/health-thailand-bangkok-coronavirus-business-b9f89c920164494ac50a1f008198b895 |archive-date=12 May 2021 |url-status=live}} As prime minister, General Prayut earned a salary of 75,900 baht per month, plus a "position allowance" of 50,000 baht monthly. He did not receive a salary as defence minister.{{cite news |title=Curfew in Greater Bangkok from Monday |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2146271/curfew-in-greater-bangkok-from-monday |access-date=9 July 2021 |work=Bangkok Post |date=9 July 2021}}

• {{flag|Thailand}}:
• 2010 – 70px Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 2008 – 70px Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 2024 – 70x70px Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 2023 – 70x70px Order of Ramkeerati
• 1990 – 70px Member of the Rama Medal for Gallantry in Action of the Most Honourable Order of Rama
• 1986 – 70px Freemen Safeguarding Medal (Second Class, First Category)
• 1989 – 70px Border Service Medal
• 1989 – 70x70px Chakra Mala Medal
• 2010 – 70x70px Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira, First Class
• 2024 – 70x70px King Rama X Royal Cypher Medal, Third Class

• {{flag|Brunei}}:
• 2017 – 70px Recipient of the Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal

• {{flag|United States}}:
• 2013 – 70px Commander of the Legion of Merit{{cite journal|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2556/B/024/23.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527215229/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2556/B/024/23.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2014|title=ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานพระบรมราชานุญาตให้ประดับเครื่องอิสริยาภรณ์ต่างประเทศ|volume= 130|issue=24 ข|page=23|journal=ราชกิจจานุเบกษา|date=28 October 2013|accessdate=20 March 2021}}

• {{Flag|Malaysia}} :
• 2012 – 70x70px The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.)

• {{Flag|Singapore}} :
• 2012 – 70x70px Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)

• {{Flag|Indonesia}} :
• 2012 – 70x70px Army Meritorious Service Star, Utama Class

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Commons category|Prayut Chan-o-cha}}

{{wikiquote}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160106114525/http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1451562757§ion=00 "Top 10 Prayuth Moments", Khaosod English, 2015-12-31]
• [http://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/09/all-thai-students-required-to-recite-daily-prayuths-12-core-values/ "Prayuth's 12 Core Values", Asian Correspondent, 2014-09-22] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805221132/http://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/09/all-thai-students-required-to-recite-daily-prayuths-12-core-values/ |date=5 August 2017 }}

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the ASEAN|years=2019}}

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{{Prayut Chan-o-cha}}

{{Prime Ministers of Thailand}}

{{Royal Thai Army Chiefs}}

{{History of Thailand since 2001}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chan-o-cha, Prayut}}

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Category:1954 births

Category:Living people

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Category:Military dictatorship in Thailand

Prayut Chan-o-cha

Category:Recipients of the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)

Category:20th-century military personnel

Category:21st-century military personnel