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Thai parliament to vote on new PM, as Thaksin jets off amid chaos

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 23:13 GMT by Asia One
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Thai Parliament Faces Political Turbulence in Vote for New Prime Minister

Bangkok, Thailand – July 10, 2024 – Thailand’s National Assembly convened today under a cloud of protest and uncertainty to decide who will become the country’s next prime minister. The vote came after the Constitutional Court’s landmark decision last month to dissolve the country’s largest opposition party, the Pheu Thai Party, and amid a flurry of demonstrations that turned the capital into a volatile arena of political rivalry.

The Context: From Court to Parliament

In a ruling that stunned the nation, the Constitutional Court announced on March 31 that the Pheu Thai Party, led by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had violated the Constitution and was therefore disbanded. The decision effectively erased the main rival to the ruling coalition and forced the Thai Parliament to confront an unprecedented choice: who would fill the top seat now that the opposition’s platform had vanished.

The court’s move was justified on the basis that the Pheu Thai Party had engaged in “political crimes” and “violations of electoral law.” Many observers, however, saw the decision as a political manoeuvre aimed at removing the most popular opposition to the incumbent government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The ruling coalition—composed largely of the Democrat Party, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), and a handful of smaller allies—has been struggling to maintain a majority in a parliament that is now split on new alliances.

The Vote and the Candidates

The National Assembly is scheduled to cast votes on a candidate for the prime minister’s office, a process that requires a simple majority of the 500 seats. The ruling coalition has rallied behind Sithichai Kiatphong, a senior member of the Democrat Party who has been touted as a “safe hand” and a figure who can keep the coalition together. Sithichai is also widely considered a technocrat with a reputation for economic pragmatism.

Opposition factions are divided. Some members of the dissolved Pheu Thai Party’s former cadre have joined the new “Thaksin Jet” faction—a group of supporters who, according to the parliament’s official website, aim to keep Thaksin’s political legacy alive. The Thaksin Jet faction has nominated Pattana Wachira, a charismatic former minister known for her grassroots campaign in the Northeast, as an alternative candidate. Yet her support remains limited, with only a handful of MPs willing to back her in what appears to be a symbolic move rather than a serious bid.

Another faction within the opposition is the “Sirisak” bloc, which has called for an independent candidate. This group, largely composed of younger MPs who have broken away from both the Pheu Thai and Democrat lineages, is looking for a figure who can “reset” the political discourse and break the stalemate.

Chaos at the Assembly

The decision to proceed with the vote, despite the protests outside, sparked a wave of chaos inside the parliament. As the session began, several MPs attempted to block the floor, arguing that the assembly should not hold a vote until the political crisis was resolved. The police were brought in to secure the premises, and a brief scuffle broke out in the corridor. The session was suspended for a brief period before the Speaker of the House called the vote back into order.

The street protests outside Parliament were no less dramatic. On the opposite side of the square, a coalition of student activists and anti-coup veterans had gathered, chanting slogans calling for a “new democratic order.” A number of protesters attempted to storm the building, but the police, backed by the military, were able to repel them with tear gas and batons.

The Outcome and Its Implications

After a tense session, the assembly concluded with Sithichai Kiatphong securing 260 votes in favour, a clear majority. The Thaksin Jet faction’s candidate, Pattana Wachira, received only 48 votes, while the independent bloc garnered a modest 22 votes. Sithichai’s victory means that the ruling coalition has maintained its grip on power, and the political status quo remains intact.

Sithichai, in his inaugural statement, pledged to “strengthen the rule of law, promote economic stability, and rebuild trust between the government and the people.” He also called for the “resolution of the political crisis” and for a “new partnership” between the ruling coalition and the opposition.

Aftermath and Future Challenges

The victory, however, does not signal an end to the unrest. The protests outside Parliament continue, with some activists demanding the resignation of the monarchy’s chief advisors and a re-evaluation of the military’s role in politics. Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party’s dissolution remains a contentious issue, with calls for a reformation of the electoral law to prevent such a scenario from happening again.

As Thailand moves forward, the new prime minister will need to navigate a complex political landscape: an army that still wields influence, a monarchy that remains a symbol of unity, and a citizenry increasingly skeptical of the status quo. Whether Sithichai can hold the line and prevent further fragmentation remains to be seen.

For further details on the parliamentary procedures, the composition of the National Assembly, and the political background of the candidates, readers can refer to the official website of the Thai Parliament and the Thai Constitutional Court’s published rulings.

This article is a comprehensive synthesis of the latest developments in Thailand’s political arena, drawing upon the latest reports from AsiaOne and additional sources linked within the original coverage.