National Council for Peace and Order
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was the military junta led by Prayut Chan-o-cha that siezed power in the 2014 coup.
History
Thaksin Shinawatra was prime minister from 2001 until the coup in 2006. Despite his exile, he remained a deeply influential figure in Thai politics.
In November 2013, the government of Yingluck Shinawatra drafted a law that (among other things) would have dismissed the corruption convictions against Thaksin. Mass protests began, culminating in the seizure of several government buildings by protestors on November 25th.
While Yingluck survived a vote of no confidence on November 28th, the situation rapidly deteriorated. On December 8th, all opposition MPs resigned in protest. On December 9th, Yingluck dissolved parliament and called for snap elections on February 2nd, 2014. Peaceful protests and marches, bombings among crowds, and shootings of political leaders ensued in December and January. On January 21st, the government declared a state of emergency. Protest leaders were rounded up and charged with insurrection. Most rally sites were dispersed. Government buildings were slowly reclaimed.
In many districts, the government failed to administer the election. Due to the occupation of government buildings, candidates were unable to register in many jurisdictions. To convene parliament, 95% of the seats must be filled; the elections that were able to proceed fell short of that threshold by 3 seats. Plans were made to hold new elections in the affected districts on April 27th.
The Constitutional Court heard two appeals arguing that the elections were invalid. While the first (argued on February 12th) was dismissed, the second (argued on March 21st) was accepted. In what was described as a judicial coup, the court also heard appeals to remove Yingluck from power, which it accepted on May 7th.
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan was appointed interim prime minister, while the government appealed to the court to reconsider their decision. On May 9th, protesters returned to seize the buildings of broadcasters.
On May 20th, the royal army declared martial law. The Peace and Order Maintaining Command was formed under Prayut Chan-o-cha. Military forces quickly regained control of government and broadcaster buildings. With broadcasters now occupied by military forces, both televised media and internet were censored. Two days later, on May 22nd, during negotiations between the POMC and Niwatthamrong's government, Prayut declared that he was seizing power.
With the coup formally initiated, the POMC reformed as the National Council for Peace and Order. On May 26th, King Rama IX endorsed the coup.
The next elections were held on March 24th, 2019. The NCPO was dissolved when the elected government took power on July 16th.
Policies
The 2007 constitution was repealed.
The Senate was dissolved on May 24th, 2014. The National Legislative Assembly was convened to vote on a new constitution.
A new constutition was produced in 2017. This established a new National Assembly with a 500-member House of Representatives and a 250-member Senate. While the lower house is elected, the upper house is appointed by the military. Given this make-up, unsurprisingly, Prayut became prime minister on July 16th.
The NCPO reformed the relationship between the state and the order of Thai Buddhist monks. This includes the seizure of the power to appoint the Sangharaja. On February 7th, 2017, Ariyavongsagatanana IX was appointed to the post by King Rama X; one of 5 names passed approved by the NCPO.