Thailand’s ruling coalition nominates Paetongtarn Shinawatra as PM candidate

BANGKOK, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) — Thailand’s ruling coalition on Thursday nominated Pheu Thai Party leader and daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as a candidate for the country’s new prime minister in the upcoming parliamentary vote.
The announcement came after the largest group in the governing coalition, the Pheu Thai Party, agreed to support 37-year-old Paetongtarn as a prime minister candidate following a court-ruled dismissal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in an ethics violation case.
“The Pheu Thai Party is ready to advance the nation with the support from all coalition partners, as we are resolute in addressing the economic challenges,” Paetongtarn told a news briefing.
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, the coalition’s second-largest group, said that to ensure continuity in governance, coalition parties are prepared to collaborate with and support Paetongtarn in her bid for the premiership.
The Pheu Thai-led 11-party alliance currently holds 314 seats in the House of Representatives of the parliament. A successful candidate needs a simple majority approval of the current 493 legislators to be elected prime minister.
The lower house of the Thai National Assembly is scheduled to convene on Friday to select the Southeast Asian nation’s next prime minister. ■