BANGKOK, Aug 15 — Thai parliament will convene tomorrow for a special meeting to vote for a new prime minister following a court ruling dismissing Srettha Thavisin yesterday.
In a statement signed by the House of Representatives secretary-general, acting police sub-lieutenant Arpath Sukhanunth said House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha sent a notice to all MPs yesterday to convene at 10am tomorrow.
“Lawmakers will vote to consider approving a person who should be appointed prime minister, according to Section 159 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Thailand’s Constitutional Court yesterday dismissed Srettha after finding him guilty of appointing a minister with a criminal conviction in May.
Meanwhile, local media reported Phumtham Wechayachai of the Pheu Thai party had been named acting prime minister, as he was deputy prime minister I and commerce minister under Srettha’s administration.
Thailand’s constitution stipulates that to become prime minister, a candidate must have the support of a majority of the 493 MPs — 248 or more votes.
Out of the 500 parliamentary seats, six Move Forward Party MPs have been banned from serving after the party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court last week, while Nakhon Si Thammarat MP was suspended for vote-buying.
After MPs elect a leader, the prime minister will propose a list of ministers to the king for appointment.
— Bernama
