Thai coup leader Gen. Prayuth named new PM, expanding military control

BANGKOK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Thailand's Parliament nominated military junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to be the new prime minister, further empowering the military's grip over Thailand.

Prayuth was not in attendance Thursday when the197-member legislature, comprised of mostly military and police, voted overwhelmingly in favor of Prayuth's expanded leadership role. There were no other nominees.

When asked whether he was aware of his nomination later Thursday, the Bangkok Post reported the general smiled coyly and said he had not been informed ahead of time but that "I only want... the country to move forward."

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha led a military coup on May 22 after warning that continued violent unrest would force the military to intervene.

Anti-government protests, led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee, began in November 2013. The protesters sought the removal of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whom they accused of acting on behalf of her brother, ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Following six months of protests, Yingluck was removed from her position as prime minister in early May by a Constitutional Court ruling that found her guilty of abuse of power.

The opposition Democrat Party then rallied for the removal of her caretaker government and called for an unelected interim government.

Less than a month after the military seized power, Prayuth announced that an interim government would be formed by September.

As the newly designated prime minister in the interim government, Prayuth is expected to appoint a 35-member cabinet and oversee the formation of a 250-member reform council.

General elections are scheduled to be held in late 2015.