In a decisive resolution, Thailand's parliament has chosen Srettha Thavisin, a 61-year-old real estate magnate affiliated with the Pheu Thai Party, as the forthcoming prime minister of the nation. This selection culminates a prolonged impasse that has engulfed Thai politics following the general election that transpired three months ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Srettha Thavisin on his election as the Prime Minister of Thailand.

In a X post, the Prime Minister said, “Heartiest congratulations @Thavisin on your election as the Prime Minister of Thailand. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Thailand bilateral relations to a higher level”.

Gaining a substantial majority, Srettha Thavisin secured 482 votes from the members of Thailand's House of Representatives and Senate. Notably, he stood as the sole nominee for the position. His election as the Prime Minister will be finalized upon approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Upon assuming office, Srettha Thavisin will succeed Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former general who has held power since 2014 following the ousting of the preceding Pheu Thai government through a coup. In a significant turn of events, the Pheu Thai party, along with pro-military factions, managed to secure victory in the prime ministerial vote. This unexpected coalition between pro-democracy and conservative groups will now pave the way for the governance of the new government.

"Thank you, everyone, for voting for me. I promise to do my best to better the lives of Thai people," Srettha told reporters at the Pheu Thai Party's headquarters in Bangkok after he was elected.

Supporters of Pheu Thai assembled outside the headquarters to celebrate his election.

"I'm very very happy that he will be the prime minister in this country because I voted Pheu Thai in [the May general] election. I expect him to make this country transparent," a 39-year-old housewife told Nikkei Asia. "He has the capability to run Thailand because he has tons of experience in the business. He will make this society better."

According to reports, Srettha, a former CEO of the local land developer Sansiri, holds a unique position as a non-elected member of parliament. However, the Thai constitution permits nonmembers to assume the role of prime minister.

As per the sequence of events, the parliamentary session commenced shortly after the return of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand.

Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai party, initially established by Thaksin and currently holding the position as the second-largest group in the lower house, has aligned itself with 10 other political parties.

The prerequisite for a successful candidate to become prime minister necessitated a minimum of 374 votes through the combined lower and upper house balloting.

Notably, the Pheu Thai coalition, despite controlling 314 of the 500 seats in the lower house, fell short of the threshold required. However, Srettha garnered support from senators, thereby achieving a majority.

However, the election victors, the Move Forward Party, possessing 151 seats, did not throw their support behind Srettha. In July, the leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, faced opposition from conservative members of the lower house and senators due to the progressive policies his party championed, including the proposal for royal reform.

After the May elections, the Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai initially formed a coalition. However, Pheu Thai subsequently broke away to establish a new coalition after Pita's aspiration for the prime ministerial role was unsuccessful.

It is worth noting that the Pheu Thai coalition includes two pro-military parties, Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation. This suggests that the military's influence could persist within the framework of the new government.

Image source: News On AIR