Thailand appoints Deputy PM Puttan as acting prime minister after special cabinet meeting on August 30.

Thailand appoints Deputy PM Puttan as acting prime minister after special cabinet meeting on August 30.

Following the Constitutional Court's ruling that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's 31st prime minister, committed a serious ethical violation, her tenure has ended, and the entire cabinet has been dissolved. In response, Thailand has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Puttan as the acting prime minister, with the caretaker cabinet continuing until a new prime minister is elected.

The process for electing a new prime minister, outlined under Sections 160(4) and 160(5) of the Constitution, involves the deputy prime minister assuming the acting role. Political appointees and officials appointed by the prime minister have vacated their positions, while other officials appointed by ministers continue in a caretaker capacity until the new cabinet is sworn in.

The House of Representatives will now convene to elect the new prime minister. Political parties may submit candidates from their lists registered with the Election Commission (EC). A candidate must secure the endorsement of at least one-tenth of all members of the House (50 or more MPs) to be eligible. Voting will be conducted openly, with individual votes recorded. A candidate receiving more than half of all members' votes (at least 247 out of 492 MPs) will be elected prime minister under Section 159 of the Constitution.

The parties that have submitted candidates include:
- Pheu Thai Party: Chaikasem Nitisiri
- Bhumjaithai Party: Anutin Charnvirakul
- United Thai Nation Party: Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and Pirapan Salirathavibhaga
- Democrat Party: Jurin Laksanawisit

The Speaker of the House will schedule meetings to elect a prime minister until a candidate secures the required majority. The Constitution does not set a specific timeframe for this process.

Candidates not elected in the current parliamentary session cannot be renominated. The House has a total of 492 MPs, with 253 government-side and 239 opposition-side members.

References:
[1] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40054735