<p>Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on Tuesday his retirement from politics, nine years after he took power in a military coup, and promised to stay in charge only temporarily.</p>.<p>His announcement was widely expected after his military-backed United Thai Nation party was thumped in a May 14 election, in which it won just 36 of the 500 house seats. He will remain caretaker premier until a new government is formed.</p>.<p>The former army chief, a staunch royalist, led a junta until an election in 2019 and was chosen by parliament to remain prime minister for four more years, an outcome his opponents insist was pre-determined.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/thailand-hosts-myanmar-junta-official-for-talks-key-asean-members-stay-away-1229085.html" target="_blank">Thailand hosts Myanmar junta official for talks; key ASEAN members stay away</a></strong></p>.<p>Prayuth, 69, has denied that and on Tuesday said he had "achieved many successes".</p>.<p>"I as prime minister have worked hard to protect the nation, religion, monarchy for the benefit of the beloved people. The result is currently bearing fruit for the public," he said in a statement.</p>.<p>"I have tried to strengthen the country in all areas for stability and peace and overcame many obstacles domestically and internationally." I</p>.<p>In the nine years since his coup, Prayuth has survived multiple challenges via court cases, house confidence votes and street protests by opponents who saw him as an opportunist who lacked a public mandate.</p>.<p>His announcement comes as the new parliament prepares to convene on Thursday to hold a vote on who will be the next prime minister, an outcome far from certain.</p>
<p>Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on Tuesday his retirement from politics, nine years after he took power in a military coup, and promised to stay in charge only temporarily.</p>.<p>His announcement was widely expected after his military-backed United Thai Nation party was thumped in a May 14 election, in which it won just 36 of the 500 house seats. He will remain caretaker premier until a new government is formed.</p>.<p>The former army chief, a staunch royalist, led a junta until an election in 2019 and was chosen by parliament to remain prime minister for four more years, an outcome his opponents insist was pre-determined.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/thailand-hosts-myanmar-junta-official-for-talks-key-asean-members-stay-away-1229085.html" target="_blank">Thailand hosts Myanmar junta official for talks; key ASEAN members stay away</a></strong></p>.<p>Prayuth, 69, has denied that and on Tuesday said he had "achieved many successes".</p>.<p>"I as prime minister have worked hard to protect the nation, religion, monarchy for the benefit of the beloved people. The result is currently bearing fruit for the public," he said in a statement.</p>.<p>"I have tried to strengthen the country in all areas for stability and peace and overcame many obstacles domestically and internationally." I</p>.<p>In the nine years since his coup, Prayuth has survived multiple challenges via court cases, house confidence votes and street protests by opponents who saw him as an opportunist who lacked a public mandate.</p>.<p>His announcement comes as the new parliament prepares to convene on Thursday to hold a vote on who will be the next prime minister, an outcome far from certain.</p>