Srettha Thavisin elected as Thailand's next prime minister

Coalition of pro-democracy, conservative groups to form new government

20230822 Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin greets supporters

Srettha Thavisin greets his supporters after Thailand's parliament elected him as prime minister on Aug. 22. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer

August 22, 2023 13:35 JST

Updated on August 22, 2023 21:32 JST

BANGKOK -- Thailand's parliament on Tuesday elected the Pheu Thai Party's Srettha Thavisin, a 61-year-old property tycoon, as the country's next prime minister, ending a deadlock that has consumed Thai politics since the general election three months ago.

Srettha won 482 votes from members of Thailand's House of Representatives and Senate, securing a majority; he was the only nominee. He will become prime minister after approval by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.