Following a nearly decade-long tenure marked by a 2014 coup and subsequent leadership, former Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has declared his departure from the political arena. This announcement comes in the wake of his party's disappointing performance in the May general election, where the United Thai Nation Party secured only 36 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives. The 69-year-old former army chief conveyed his decision via the party's Facebook page, stating his resignation as a party member and urging the remaining members to uphold the nation's institutions and serve the Thai people.

Prayuth's political journey began with his seizure of power in 2014. He later transitioned to a democratically elected role after the 2019 elections, representing the army-backed Palang Pracharath Party. While he did not participate directly in the elections himself, his leadership extended beyond the typical term limits. With the upcoming parliamentary selection of a new prime minister, the future of Thai politics remains uncertain. The leading Move Forward Party, having formed a coalition, faces challenges in securing the necessary votes due to political divides with the conservative Senate. Prayuth, while not explicitly stating his reasons for retirement, expressed pride in his service to the nation, religion, and monarchy over the past nine years.