Pro-establishment lawmakers in Thailand said they plan to ensure junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha stays on as prime minister by fielding a proxy political party backed by the military in a general election planned for next year.
Thailand voted overwhelmingly in August to accept a junta-backed constitution, paving the way for an election — but one that will require future elected governments to rule on the military's terms.
Paiboon Nititawan, a former senator appointed by the military to its reform council and its constitution drafting committee, said he would set up a party to nominate Prayuth as the next prime minister.