BFF-23 Thai lawmakers elect junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha as PM: TV count

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Thai lawmakers elect junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha as PM: TV count

BANGKOK, June 5, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Thailand’s new parliament elected junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha as the country’s civilian prime minister late Wednesday, according to a televised vote count.

He comfortably reached the 375-vote threshold, with the vote ongoing, to give him the majority needed to fend off his sole challenger, a charismatic billionaire heading up the anti-junta coalition.

BSS/AFP/MMA/2230HRS