The former head of Thailand’s military junta has been selected by lawmakers as the country’s next prime minister, increasing the military’s hold on power.
Prayuth Chan-o-cha waves to media before leaving government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, June 5, 2019 Source: AP
Thailand's junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha was elected late Wednesday as the kingdom's first civilian prime minister since the 2014 coup he led, in a vote by a parliament stacked with appointed allies of the conservative, arch-royalist army.
Prayut swept aside his sole challenger, the charismatic 40-year-old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit who led the anti-military bloc, garnering 500 votes to his rival's 244.
