PM Prayuth nominated to run

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was officially nominated yesterday for re-election as his party's first candidate for the country's next leader in polls set for May 14.

Prayuth, 69, is running with the new United Thai Nation Party, and will likely face Pheu Thai party's Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter and niece of two former premiers.

The incumbent, in power since 2014 when the military toppled a civilian government, was elected as a civilian leader in 2019.

The military veteran has lagged rivals in opinion polls, but hopes to win over supporters. Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was nominated as the party's No. 2 candidate for PM.