Thai leader cites China as positive example in year-end message

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (L) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing December 23, 2014. REUTERS/Wang Zhao/Pool

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha cited China as a good example of economic development in a year-end speech to government officials seven months after he seized power in a military coup.

Prayuth, a former army chief who led the coup, said Thais should "stop bickering" and look to regional superpower China for inspiration.