Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today (Tuesday) that he can occupy the office for more two years only and he promises to do his best so that he can pass the baton to a successor who is “recognised” by the public.

The remark, which is the clearest self-declared indication yet of his political future, was in response to reporters asking whether he has made up his mind about his political future.

Asked what the target of his work next year will be, the Prime Minister simply said that, if he stays on as prime minister (after the next election), his term in office will expire in 2025.

The government’s four-year term is due to end in March and a general election must be held within 45 days. According to the Constitution, however, a prime minister can hold the office for not more than eight years, consecutively or not. Prime Minister Prayut will have been in the office for six years if he stays on until next year.

He declined to comment, however, on whether or when he will join the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (United Thai Nation Party), which has been courting him.