Prayut picked as new PM of Thailand

BANGKOK - Thailand's current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was elected as the new prime minister of the country, President of the National Assembly Chuan Leekpai announced late on Wednesday.

Prayut was elected to serve a second term by a vote of 500 to 244 for his opponent, Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Prayut, a former army commander, was the candidate of the Palang Pracharath Party, which holds 116 House seats, as well as lawmakers from smaller parties. Prayut's appointment becomes official when it is endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

One only needed a minimum of 375 votes from among a current total of 748 legislators in the House of Representatives and Senate combined to win a simple majority and became the prime minister following the March 24 election.