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Thailand election 2023
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha releases his latest pop song, hailing ‘new day’ for the nation as elections loom

  • Prayuth led a coup in 2014 and has since clung to power, repeatedly pushing back elections and entrenching the military’s role in politics

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Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Photo: Reuters
Agence France-Presse

Prayuth Chan-ocha, the leader of Thailand’s military government, dropped his latest saccharine pop ballad on the public on Monday, pining for the “democratic path” nearly five years after he seized power from the country’s last elected government.

A former army chief who wants to return after March 24 polls as a civilian prime minister, Prayuth has penned several ditties intended to inspire the nation since seizing power in 2014.

New Day, released on YouTube, captures the famously gruff 64-year-old general in reflective mood.

The song, sung by two soldiers, includes the following lyrics: “We are looking for a new day in Thailand’s history … towards the democratic path.

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“A new day for Thailand is coming so we can solve the mistakes of the past.”

Thailand remains deeply polarised five years after the army booted out the government of Yingluck Shinawatra from office.

Prayuth led the coup, saying his hand had been forced after months of bloody protests against Yingluck’s government.

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