Bangkok, August 22 (EFE) – Following over three months of parliamentary deadlock since the May general elections, former construction tycoon Srettha Thavisin has been chosen as Thailand’s prime minister by the bicameral parliament.
Thavisin, aged 60, hailing from the Pheu Thai party – the second-largest party after the elections – gained the endorsement of the elected lower house, including members of pro-military factions, and a majority of senators personally selected by the previous military junta (2014-2019).
This appointment comes merely hours after the ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was incarcerated shortly after his return from 15 years of exile.
The Pheu Thai-led coalition, encompassing 10 other parties – including two aligned with the military that orchestrated a coup in 2014 – secured the support of 330 members out of the almost 500-member House of Representatives, as well as 152 out of 249 Senate members.
In total, the coalition garnered backing from 482 bicameral Parliament members, with 164 against and 81 abstaining.
Having close ties to the Shinawatra family, Thavisin joined Pheu Thai in 2022 and stepped down from his role as CEO of Sansiri, a prominent Thai construction firm, a few months ago to concentrate on his political pursuits.
This selection of a new prime minister concludes months of parliamentary impasse that ensued after the May 14 elections, which saw the unexpected triumph of the Move Forward party – a progressive faction advocating for a reduction in the military’s political power and the monarchy’s authority.
Although securing the highest number of seats, the coalition led by the Move Forward party, of which Pheu Thai was part, failed to form the government due to the Senate’s lack of support. The Senate was comprised of members handpicked by the military.
On August 2, Pheu Thai decided to sever its alliance with Move Forward and construct its own coalition, which obtained backing from several conservative parties, including pro-military entities like Palang Pracharat and the United Thai Nation.
This recent development coincided with Thaksin’s return, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and is believed to exert influence over the Pheu Thai party from the shadows.
The 74-year-old former prime minister arrived via a private aircraft at Don Muang Airport, where he briefly interacted with his supporters and paid respects to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn before being taken into custody to serve an eight-year sentence resulting from various convictions in absentia.
Thaksin asserts that the charges against him are driven by political motives. His situation is likely to change now, given that Pheu Thai has regained power with the support of pro-military factions.
Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, also faced deposition in a contentious court ruling in May 2014, a mere two weeks prior to the military seizing power through a coup. She remains in exile.
Source: with agencies