16-8-2024 (BANGKOK) Paethongtarn Shinawatra has been elected as Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister, marking a significant moment in the nation’s political landscape. The daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra secured more than half of the votes in the House of Representatives, following her nomination by the Pheu Thai Party as their sole candidate for the position.
The special session of the House of Representatives convened at 10:00 AM on 16 August 2024 at the Parliament, under the chairmanship of Mr Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, President of the House. This extraordinary meeting was necessitated by the Constitutional Court’s recent ruling that ended the prime ministership of Mr Settha Thavisin, leaving the position vacant.
The proceedings began with Mr Surawong Thienthong, a Pheu Thai Party MP for Sa Kaeo, proposing Ms Paethongtarn Shinawatra as the party’s nominee for Prime Minister. The nomination received overwhelming support, with 291 members endorsing her candidacy through a ballot press, far exceeding the required minimum of 50 supporters. Notably, no other candidates were put forward for consideration, leaving Ms Paethongtarn as the sole contender for the position.
Mr Wan Muhammad Noor elucidated that despite having only one nominee, the voting process would proceed as mandated. For the election to be valid, more than half of the 493 sitting MPs needed to cast their votes, setting the threshold at 248 votes.
