"Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha bids farewell to politics"
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced his retirement from politics and will not seek re-election, according to his party. This comes after a May election where Thais rejected military-backed rule, with opposition parties gaining significant support. Prayut, who seized power in a coup in 2014, has faced criticism for growing authoritarianism, inequality, and mishandling of the pandemic. His retirement is seen as a boost to pro-democracy supporters and could potentially aid the chances of the progressive Move Forward Party in forming a post-election government.