Thailand's army chief General Narongpan Jitkaewthae has pledged not to stage a coup as political parties gear up for election on Sunday that could see the military-backed government getting voted out.&nbsp;General Jitkaewthae made the promise despite the army seizing power a dozen times in Thailand in the past century, most recently in 2014. 
 
Thailand seems to be strongly heading for a political change, but the army leader has sworn not to attempt a coup. This comes as all political parties are preparing for their final campaigns ahead of an election in which the military-backed government might be deposed. General Naorgnpan Jitkaewthae made the commitment on Thursday.

Recalling previous coups as "very negative," he assured reporters that there would be no return to military control. He said, "There shouldn’t be (a coup) any more. For me, this word should be deleted from the dictionary."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-voters-cast-ballots-a-week-before-parliamentary-election-589922">Also read |&nbsp;Thailand: Voters cast ballots a week before parliamentary election</a>

The army has captured power a dozen times in Thailand, most recently in 2014. But this time, voters are expected to hand the former army chief and coup leader Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha a crushing defeat, reports FirstPost.

Voting&nbsp;will be held on Sunday (May 14). The clash is between the opposition led by Paetongtarn Shinawatrai, daughter of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and the conservative royalist-military establishment led by PM Prayut.

Watch |&nbsp;Thailand Elections 2023: Opinion polls show an opposition landslide

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Currently, Thai is well ahead in the polls but just winning most seats in the lower house gives&nbsp;no guarantee of claiming power as the&nbsp;new Prime Minister will be chosen by the 500 elected MPs and 250-strong senate members who were appointed by Prayut's junta.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-sees-record-breaking-heat-two-dead-587228">Also read |&nbsp;Thailand sees record-breaking heat, two dead</a>

The Pheu Thai party is urging supporters to deliver a landslide victory to stop the military from keeping them out of power. While Prayut has mentioned himself as the 'man with experience' needed to help&nbsp;the country through its difficult&nbsp;times, according to many he has ignored economic stagnation besides a massive spike in the draconian royal defamation laws.

Even the main opposition rival to the Pheu Thai&nbsp;party has already harnessed much of the energy of the youth who led a protest movement voicing dissatisfaction and disaffection with the old political system.

Back in 2020, almost 200 people were charged for insulting the monarch in the wake of protests.

The country in the last two decades has witnessed several street protests, coups and court orders dissolving political parties.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Thailand's army chief General Narongpan Jitkaewthae has pledged not to stage a coup as political parties gear up for election on Sunday that could see the military-backed government getting voted out.

Thailand's army chief General Narongpan Jitkaewthae has pledged not to stage a coup as political parties gear up for election on Sunday that could see the military-backed government getting voted out. General Jitkaewthae made the promise despite the army seizing power a dozen times in Thailand in the past century, most recently in 2014. Thailand seems to be strongly heading for a political change, but the army leader has sworn not to attempt a coup. This comes as all political parties are preparing for their final campaigns ahead of an election in which the military-backed government might be deposed. General Naorgnpan Jitkaewthae made the commitment on Thursday. Recalling previous coups as "very negative," he assured reporters that there would be no return to military control. He said, "There shouldn’t be (a coup) any more. For me, this word should be deleted from the dictionary." Also read | Thailand: Voters cast ballots a week before parliamentary election The army has captured power a dozen times in Thailand, most recently in 2014. But this time, voters are expected to hand the former army chief and coup leader Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha a crushing defeat, reports FirstPost. Voting will be held on Sunday (May 14). The clash is between the opposition led by Paetongtarn Shinawatrai, daughter of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and the conservative royalist-military establishment led by PM Prayut. Watch | Thailand Elections 2023: Opinion polls show an opposition landslide Currently, Thai is well ahead in the polls but just winning most seats in the lower house gives no guarantee of claiming power as the new Prime Minister will be chosen by the 500 elected MPs and 250-strong senate members who were appointed by Prayut's junta. Also read | Thailand sees record-breaking heat, two dead The Pheu Thai party is urging supporters to deliver a landslide victory to stop the military from keeping them out of power. While Prayut has mentioned himself as the 'man with experience' needed to help the country through its difficult times, according to many he has ignored economic stagnation besides a massive spike in the draconian royal defamation laws. Even the main opposition rival to the Pheu Thai party has already harnessed much of the energy of the youth who led a protest movement voicing dissatisfaction and disaffection with the old political system. Back in 2020, almost 200 people were charged for insulting the monarch in the wake of protests. The country in the last two decades has witnessed several street protests, coups and court orders dissolving political parties. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Thailand Elections 2023: Days ahead of voting, army chief promises not to stage coup

Police in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-monks-asked-not-to-participate-in-protests-342657">Thailand</a> fired water cannon and teargas at protesters injuring at least 18 people as anti-government demonstrations continued in the country's capital Bangkok.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-scale-monument-turn-their-back-on-kings-motorcade-in-thailand-343187">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/protesters-scale-monument-turn-their-back-on-kings-motorcade-in-thailand-343187" hreflang="en">Protesters scale monument, turn their back on King's motorcade in Thailand</a>

The latest demonstrations took place after protesters marched towards the country's Parliament where lawmakers were discussing changes to the constitution. The protesters have been demanding PM <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-prime-minister-prayuth-chan-ocha-refuses-to-resign-despite-protests-338463">Prayuth Chan-ocha</a> be removed from his position and the power of King Maha Vajiralongkorn be curbed.

Security officials fired teargas shells at protesters as large scale demonstrations overwhelmed the streets. Reports said there were clashes as protesters moved closer to towards parliament and a tense standoff ensured on the main gates of the parliament building.

The opposition has repeatedly said that the last year's election was unfair, a charge dismissed by PM Prayuth. The lawmakers were discussing constitutional amendments when the demonstrators hit the streets even as lawmakers came out of parliament to witness the protests.

According to reports, several thousand protesters took to the streets around the parliament building in the afternoon as the riot police blocked roads with barbed wire.

The country's Parliament is due to vote on Wednesday on constitutional amendments bills which are to debated.

Police in Thailand fired water cannon and teargas at protesters injuring at least 18 people as anti-government demonstrations continued in the country's capital Bangkok.

Police in Thailand fired water cannon and teargas at protesters injuring at least 18 people as anti-government demonstrations continued in the country's capital Bangkok. Also Read: Protesters scale monument, turn their back on King's motorcade in Thailand The latest demonstrations took place after protesters marched towards the country's Parliament where lawmakers were discussing changes to the constitution. The protesters have been demanding PM Prayuth Chan-ocha be removed from his position and the power of King Maha Vajiralongkorn be curbed. Security officials fired teargas shells at protesters as large scale demonstrations overwhelmed the streets. Reports said there were clashes as protesters moved closer to towards parliament and a tense standoff ensured on the main gates of the parliament building. The opposition has repeatedly said that the last year's election was unfair, a charge dismissed by PM Prayuth. The lawmakers were discussing constitutional amendments when the demonstrators hit the streets even as lawmakers came out of parliament to witness the protests. According to reports, several thousand protesters took to the streets around the parliament building in the afternoon as the riot police blocked roads with barbed wire. The country's Parliament is due to vote on Wednesday on constitutional amendments bills which are to debated.

Thai police fires water cannon, tear gas at protesters near Parliament

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Thailand Elections 2023: Days ahead of voting, army chief promises not to stage coup

Thai police fires water cannon, tear gas at protesters near Parliament