How Thailand will elect 32nd prime minister on Friday

Thailand faces another political shake-up on Friday, as MPs gather to choose a new prime minister, to replace Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed by a court last week.

The special session of the 492-member House was called last night after acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai failed in his attempt to secure a House dissolution.

During the session, prime ministerial candidates will be nominated from the official party lists submitted before the 2023 general election. Each candidate must be endorsed by at least 50 MPs.

The vote will be conducted openly, with MPs called individually and in alphabetical order to declare their choice to approve, disapprove or abstain.

To win, a candidate must secure more than half of the votes, or at least 247.

Once the House selects one of the candidates, Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha will submit the name to His Majesty the King for a Royal Command of appointment.

This Friday’s sitting is expected to feature two candidates, namely Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri.

With the backing of 143 People’s party MPs and his own 146-member coalition, Anutin is tipped to become Thailand’s 32nd prime minister.

Chaikasem, meanwhile, is expected to draw the support of 196 MPs from Pheu Thai and its allies.