Thailand's parliament will elect Thaksin's daughter as prime minister today.

Thus, the 37-year-old female politician Shinawatra will become the only candidate in the special vote of the Thai National Assembly today (August 16). If successful, she will become the second female prime minister of Thailand and the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold this position.

The announcement came after a series of behind-the-scenes negotiations within 24 hours of Thailand's Constitutional Court removing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai Party.

Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra (center) and leaders of the Pheu Thai Party show solidarity after a press conference to announce the prime ministerial candidate in Bangkok, Thailand on August 15, 2024. Photo: Reuters

"The country must move forward, Pheu Thai is the main party in forming the government and will move the country forward," Paetongtarn told a joint news conference attended by leaders of 10 coalition partner parties.

Mr Srettha is the fourth prime minister from the Pheu Thai-led coalition to be removed by the court. The case marks a new breakdown in relations between Mr Thaksin and the conservative political establishment and military that helped him return from exile in 2023 and Mr Srettha become prime minister that day.

The Pheu Thai Party and its predecessors have endured turmoil, with two previous Shinawatra family administrations being ousted in military coups.

With the 11-party coalition intact, Paetongtarn should have no trouble winning the vote in Thailand’s parliament, where the coalition holds 314 seats, or nearly two-thirds of the 493 seats. Meanwhile, approval from just over half of the parliament is needed for Paetongtarn to become prime minister.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/quoc-hoi-thai-lan-se-bau-chon-con-gai-cua-ong-thaksin-cho-vi-tri-thu-tuong-vao-hom-nay-post307922.html