UPDATES WITH LATEST VOTE COUNT; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK; EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) – Thai lawmakers, including those selected by the former junta administration, on Tuesday elected former real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin the country’s new prime minister.
Thavisin, nominated by Pheu Thai Party (PTP) leader Chonlanan Srikaew, secured 482 votes, easily beating the 376 needed for victory, according to the Thai Public Broadcasting service.
A total of 747 lawmakers were eligible to vote, with 165 voting against Thavisin while 81 abstained. At least 19 lawmakers were absent from parliament.
The PPT had claimed support of a 314-vote coalition from 11 parties.
Today’s vote was the second to elect the nation's 30th premier since general elections were held in May.
Last month, Move Forward Party chief Pita Limjaroenrat failed to win the premiership.
Separately, Thailand's Supreme Court on Tuesday sent former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to prison for eight years upon his return from over 15 years in exile.
Shinawatra faced corruption charges and three convictions from his long absence.