Bangkok, June 11 (TIWN / IANS) Coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday took office as the Prime Minister of Thailand in a ceremony at the government headquarters, opening a new phase in the country after five years of a military junta.

The junta that seized power nearly five years ago had banned political activity, suppressed debate, restricted the media and detained dissidents until just months before the March 24 general election.   Prayuth also benefited from the upper chamber Senate, with its 250 members, having been appointed entirely by the junta.  In a further boost for Prayuth, the Election Commission changed a seat distribution formula after the March poll for the 500-member lower house, effectively reversing a projected majority for the anti-junta Democratic Front.