Rappler's latest stories on Prayut Chan-o-cha
Thai parliament urged to pass record $60-billion virus stimulus bill
'To get the country back on track...we urgently need the budget of 1.9 trillion baht,' says Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
1st Thailand pro-democracy march since 2014 coup
Discontent with the administration of ex-army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha is seething, with a progressive opposition party disbanded and the country's economy faltering
'Run against dictatorship' fun run draws thousands of defiant Thais
Runners wielded the three-finger salute made famous by the blockbuster Hunger Games films as a symbol of freedom from authoritarian rule
Anti-gov't fun run draws thousands of defiant Thais
The runners wield the 3-finger salute made famous by the Hunger Games franchise to oppose Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha
Thailand won't allow Cambodian opposition leader to transit – prime minister
The Thai leader says: 'We will not allow anti-government (parties) to use Thailand as a base,' an apparent reference to Cambodian opposition Sam Rainsy
Thai MPs call for PM to resign following oath omission
Though Prayut Chan-O-Cha and his cabinet pledged loyalty to the king, they did not recite allegiance to the constitution upon being sworn in as the civilian premier in July
New Thai leader keeps junta powers of arbitrary detention
Prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha defends his original invoking of junta-era powers as a way of 'solving problems'
Thai junta chief Prayut made prime minister in royal decree
'I will promote a peaceful environment for a unified society based on love, unity and compassion,' Prayut says after the royal decree was read out at Government House
Thai lawmakers elect junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha as PM
Prayut Chan-O-Cha sweeps aside his sole challenger, the charismatic 40-year-old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit who led the anti-military bloc, comfortably passing the 375-vote threshold to win a majority
Thai parliament to vote for PM with junta chief in prime position
Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who seized power in 2014, is all but assured of completing his transformation from junta head to civilian leader with the support of 250 hand-picked senators
Thai junta-backed party needs few allies after election count
The Junta-linked Palang Pracharat party now has 115 seats in the lower house, only 11 votes shy of a majority in the combined parliament thanks to 250 military-appointed senators
Thai King praises 'unity' in speech on final coronation day
'I want the unity shown here with this goodwill to be an encouraging sign for everybody, all sides to perform their duties for the prosperity of our country,' King Maha Vajiralongkorn says
Thai junta chief demands action to cut smog
The smog-hit northern city of Chiang Mai is given 7 days to crack down on spiralling pollution
7 Thai parties form coalition to thwart junta
(3rd UPDATE) Pheu Thai, affiliated with self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, joins forces with 6 other parties in a bid to halt military-backed factions from leading the country
Cliffhanger election looms as record number of Thais turn out for early voting
With election day looming, voter enthusiasm is writ large across the country and online, with Thais sharing memes and engaging in online debate
Thai junta chief says cybersecurity bill not used to 'tap' phones
Thailand's junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha says: 'When I talk about cybersecurity, don't get this confused with human rights... No one will tap phone calls of others'
Thai general who led coup pines for 'democracy' in election ballad
A former army chief who seized power in 2014, Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to return after March 24 polls as a civilian prime minister and pens songs intended to inspire the nation
Thai junta shoots down proposal to slash defense spending
The country spends among the most on defense in Southeast Asia and recent big purchases have drawn criticism in a state riddled with inequality and corruption
Junta chief's bid for prime minister intact after whirlwind week in Thai politics
Still standing after the spin-dryer events of the last week, loyalists of Prayut Chan-O-Cha say his bid for premier is in robust shape
Thai party leader contrite after rebuke for princess' PM candidacy
'Above us is His Majesty and the monarchy,' Preechaphol Pongpanit tells reporters at the party's headquarters
Thai junta chief decries coup conjecture as 'fake news'
'We're investigating. Fake news,' he tells reporters at Government House about the speculation of an impending coup
Thai princess, junta chief to run for prime minister
Thai Princess Ubolratana and junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha will run for prime minister in upcoming general elections, to be held in March
Politicos register for Thailand's first election since 2014 coup
The registration is marked by a festive atmosphere, with supporters of dozens of groups waving neon banners and party flags as they enter a stadium in central Bangkok
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir visits Thailand
Malaysia is seen as a facilitator in achieving peace in Thailand's mainly Muslim southern region
Unfriend: Thai junta leader flooded with negative comments on FB
Asking for 'suggestions' in his debut on Facebook, Thailand's premier receives over 9,000 comments in less than 24 hours, the majority of them negative
Thai cave boys speak of 'miracle' rescue after hospital discharge
The "Wild Boars" team members look healthy and happy as they answer questions about the 9 days they spent in the dark before being discovered by members of an international rescue team
Protest greets 4th year of Thai junta rule
Disquiet with the junta is simmering in Thailand, despite a ban on political gatherings since a coup toppled the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra on May 22, 2014
Thai PM says elections to be held no later than February next year
'I say it clearly, that the election will be held no later than February 2019,' says Prime Minister and junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha
Not cut out for the job: Thai PM's stunt bemuses public
Talking to reporters outside Government House on Monday, Prayut turned the media's attention to a life-size likeness of himself after an aide dutifully places the cut-out in front of a microphone
What were the other ASEAN countries up to in Manila?
A rundown of the main concerns and activities of the ASEAN member-states at the 31st Summit in Manila
Thai junta chief vows elections in November 2018
'In November 2018 there will be an election. Is it clear?' the often gruff leader tells reporters, adding he would announce the exact date next June
Trump hails 'very strong' ties with Thailand
Describing Prayut's visit as a 'great honor,' Trump offers a symbolic show of unity with the man behind a 2014 takeover that resulted in Washington cutting aid and cooling relations
Thai junta chief says fugitive ex-PM Yingluck in Dubai
Prayut Chan-O-Cha's first clear comments on Yingluck's whereabouts comes a month after she ghosted out off Thailand, ducking a court ruling over charges she failed to stop graft and losses in a costly rice subsidy policy
Ousted Thai PM Yingluck sentenced in absentia to 5 years for negligence
(UPDATED) 'The court found that the defendant is guilty as charged... the court has sentenced her to 5 years in prison and the court also unanimously agreed that the sentence will not be suspended,' a judge says
Trump to host Thai junta chief at White House next week
'President Trump looks forward to reaffirming the relationship between the United States and a key partner and longstanding ally in Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand,' the White House says in a statement late Monday
Floods in Thailand's northeast kill 23
The flash floods disrupt air travel inundate rail tracks and swallow farmland across the rice farming region of Isaan affecting more than one million Thais
Thai junta mulls powers to access private cyber data
The bill is proposed after the massive WannaCry cyberattack sparked havoc in computer systems worldwide but it is controversial because Thailand adopted cyber laws used as a cudgel against government critics
Trump's fondness for strongmen trumps rights concerns
Donald Trump s latest invitations fit a pattern that has outraged human rights defenders and given pause to even some of usually hardheaded realists in the Washington foreign policy set
Thai junta chief accepts Trump invite
The offer came as part of a flurry of calls Trump made to Southeast Asian leaders over the weekend trying to shore up regional support over the troubled Korean peninsula
IN PHOTOS: How Duterte bonded with ASEAN leaders
From eating durian with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to singing with Malaysia s Najib Razak President Duterte has fond memories to share with the leaders he is welcoming to Manila for the 30th ASEAN Summit
8 country leaders, Suu Kyi to attend ASEAN Summit
UPDATED The heads of government will start arriving in Manila on Friday April 28
Ousted Thai PM Thaksin slapped with $500 million tax bill
Tax officials accompanied by police post the bill on Thaksin s former home in Bangkok although he has not set foot there for nearly a decade to avoid jail for a graft conviction that he insists is politically motivated
WATCH: Duterte caps off ASEAN tour
President Rodrigo Duterte wraps up his ASEAN tour This year he will be the Summit s chairman
Birthday boy Prayut gives Duterte an early birthday treat
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan o cha celebrates his birthday with President Rodrigo Duterte whom he presents with a birthday cake
#ThewRap: Things you need to know, March 22, 2017
Hello Here s a roundup of news you need to know this Wednesday
Duterte, Thailand's Prayut affirm defense, economic cooperation
The joint committee on military cooperation is expected to address the two leaders concerns on transnational crimes including the spread of illegal drugs
What to expect from Duterte's Thailand visit
The President wraps up his ASEAN tour with a visit to Thailand where security related issues will be a priority topic Three bilateral agreements are expected to be signed in Bangkok
Thai generals lead royal funeral pyre ceremony
Prime Minister Prayut Chan O Cha a former army chief who seized power in 2014 leads the ceremony
Floods sever overland routes to Thailand's south
The heaviest January rains for 3 decades lash the country s south for more than a week affecting 1 1 million people across 12 provinces
Thai king orders charter amendment in rare intervention
Like most things regarding Thailand s secrecy shrouded monarchy Vajiralongkorn s approach to the crown remains a mystery and is not open to detailed scrutiny
