( CNN ) -- The military leader who took control of Thailand in a coup in May has been named the country 's prime minister . Thailand 's National Legislative Assembly selected General Prayuth Chan-ocha to lead the government in a vote on Thursday . He was the sole candidate for the post . Members of the assembly were chosen by Prayuth ; more than half are also in the military . Prayuth seized control of the country on May 22 , 2014 after months of unrest destabilized the elected government , led by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra . Yingluck 's promotion as leader in 2011 led to violent protests and counter-protests amid calls for her to resign . Critics accused Yingluck of acting as a mouthpiece for her brother , former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , who was deposed in the last coup in 2006 and is now living in exile . After taking power , military authorities summoned leading political officials and other prominent figures . It imposed travel bans and delivered the firm message that dissent would not be tolerated . King 's approval . A curfew was imposed , the military threw out the constitution , and Prayuth announced he 'd be assuming powers to act as prime minister until a new one took office . Prayuth 's formal promotion to the role needs to be approved by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej , though that 's considered a formality . The military leader announced in May that he had the revered King 's backing to assume leadership . Since taking power , the Thai military has enforced the rule of law , seizing guns , arresting suspected criminals and shutting down illegal businesses .
Thai national parliament chooses opposition leader as new prime minister . General Chan Chan - ocha was the sole candidate for the post . Military seized power in Thailand after months of political instability .