BANGKOK - Thailand’s House of Representatives will vote for a new prime minister on Friday after Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s dismissal last week.
"The Speaker has added a special agenda item for the urgent selection of a new premier under Article 159 of the Constitution,” the House Secretariat said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the Bhumjaithai Party petitioned the House for an urgent vote to elect a new prime minister.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party, on the same day, sought royal approval to dissolve parliament after failing to secure a majority to form a government.
The move followed the opposition People’s Party’s announcement that it would support Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister and join efforts to form the next administration.
Thai media reported that a royal decree to dissolve parliament, submitted by interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, was returned by the Office of the Privy Council on legal grounds. - BERNAMA