According to the Bangkok Post, Mr Shretha was the only candidate for the vote and received 482 votes in favor, 165 votes against and 81 abstentions from both houses of the National Assembly.
A day earlier, Phu Thai and 10 other parties announced a coalition aimed at forming a new government, breaking a political deadlock since elections in May. This alliance has a total of 314./500 House seats.
Mr Shrettha is a real estate billionaire, he entered Thai politics only a few months ago. He entered the race for prime minister after Thailand’s constitutional court on 16 August refused to review parliament’s decision to block Progressive Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat from being elected. He was again nominated as the prime ministerial candidate.
The MFP led the election with 151 seats in the House of Representatives, followed by the Phu Thai Party with 141 seats.
Mr Shretha Thavisin at a press conference after his election as Prime Minister in Bangkok-Thailand on August 22 Photo: Reuters
Mr Shrestha had earlier campaigned on promises of economic stimulus, social justice and better governance.
he told the page Bloomberg It said in April that its priorities for the first 100 days in power were to address the rising cost of living, end compulsory military service, ensure marriage equality for same-sex couples and establish a government that represents the will of the people. The draft of the new constitution will have to be prepared.
Mr Shrettha also introduced the Phu Thai Party’s pioneering policy of providing 10,000 baht (about 6.8 million VND) via e-wallet to people aged 16 and above. He vowed to stick to Phu Thai’s campaign promises, such as raising the minimum wage by 70%, guaranteeing a household income of 20,000 baht per month, and tripling farm profits to raise the bar. Economic growth up to 5%.
August 22 also saw another notable event in Thai politics when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the country after 15 years in exile. Before returning home, Mr. Thaksin, 74, insisted that his decision to return had nothing to do with the Phu Thai party’s bid to regain power.
Soon after his return, Mr. Thaksin went to the Supreme Court of Thailand and then went to jail. According to reutersThe Supreme Court said that Mr. Thaksin would have to serve 8 years in prison.
According to Mr. Sithi Sutheewong, deputy director of the Department of Corrections, Mr. Thaksin was eligible to apply for a royal pardon from his first day in prison. The application for pardon may be prepared by Mr. Thaksin or his relatives.
A committee in the Department of Corrections will review the application and forward it to the Ministry of Justice and the Prime Minister before sending it to the King. This whole process can be completed in 1 to 2 months.
