Thai House of Representatives sets date to elect new prime minister

On August 14, the Thai National Assembly announced that the House of Representatives will elect a new prime minister on August 16, after the Constitutional Court ruled to remove Mr. Srettha Thavisin from the position of prime minister.

Panorama of a session of the Thai National Assembly in Bangkok

The National Assembly's statement stated that the House of Representatives will vote at 10 a.m. on August 16 (local time, or 10 a.m. the same day Vietnam time). The ruling coalition will meet to select candidates on August 15.

The Chief of Staff of the Thai Prime Minister also confirmed that the country's House of Representatives will meet on August 16 to elect a new prime minister.

According to Thai parliamentary rules, a candidate nominated as prime minister must win the support of more than half of the House of Representatives, which currently has 493 members.

Earlier, on the same afternoon, the Thai Constitutional Court issued a ruling to remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office for violating the Constitution in appointing a person who did not meet ethical standards to a cabinet minister position.

The ruling - voted 5-4 by the court's nine judges - saw Srettha removed from office after less than a year in office. It also ended all cabinet positions, but ministers will continue to hold office in the interim. First Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will serve as acting prime minister until the lower house votes for a new prime minister.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin answers the press after the Court's verdict on the afternoon of August 14. Photo: Bangkok Post

Speaking to reporters after the court's ruling, Srettha Thavisin said he had tried to lead the country honestly and believed there were many talented people who could continue the job. However, he admitted that he did not know whether the current government's policies would continue and that the next government could change policies.

Mr. Srettha is the fourth Thai Prime Minister to be removed from office by the Constitutional Court in the past 16 years.

NGUYEN KHANG (synthesis)

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ha-vien-thai-lan-an-dinh-thoi-diem-bau-thu-tuong-moi-post754090.html