Thai lawmakers set to elect new prime minister next week

ISTANBUL

Thai lawmakers will vote next week to elect the new prime minister of the Southeast Asian nation, the parliament speaker said on Wednesday.

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said the bicameral parliament will vote for the next prime minister on July 13, Bangkok-based Khaosod News reported.

The announcement came after Wan Noor was elected on Tuesday as the speaker of the House of Representatives, enabling him to convene a joint session of the bicameral legislature to vote for the next prime minister.

It is uncertain whether other parties will put forward any contenders to challenge Pita Limjaroenrat from the Move Forward Party (MFP) for the prime minister’s post.

Thailand held general elections last month, with the MFP emerging as securing the most seats, according to the Election Commission.

Pita is the favorite candidate to become the prime minister but needs 376 votes, while his coalition commands the support of 312 lawmakers.