In this photo released by Government Spokesman Office, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha receives flowers from well wishers in Samut Songkhram province, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020.
He then headed the junta that ruled for five years, and was also prime minister in the military-guided government.
Prayuthโs defense has been that the official residence of the prime minister is undergoing renovation, and also that he faces security concerns.
His Cabinet will then act as a caretaker government until Parliament can choose a new prime minister and Cabinet.
In the past 12 years, court rulings have ousted three Thai prime ministers, but Prayuth is widely believed to be likely to get a favorable ruling.