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International Business Times
International Business Times
Business

'Big Comrade': Former Defence Chief Takes Reins As Thai PM

Phumtham Wechayachai Thaksin Shinawatra Paetongtarn Shinawatra Thailand
Phumtham Wechayachai has held the defence and commerce portfolios, and had a previous spell as acting prime minister (Credit: AFP)

Thailand's former defence chief is set to be appointed acting prime minister on Thursday, capping a colourful career for the political heavyweight once nicknamed "Big Comrade".

Phumtham Wechayachai earned his moniker over links in his youth to a 1970s student movement that rallied against the architect of a military coup, before their protests were violently crushed.

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