PM Prayut thanks MPs for their votes

PM Prayut thanks MPs for their votes

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha greets officials as he arrived for work at Government House on Thursday morning. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha greets officials as he arrived for work at Government House on Thursday morning. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha says he is grateful to MPs for supporting him as the prime minister on Wednesday and pointed out that the majority of the House of Representatives voted in his favour.

Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak conveyed Gen Prayut's message on Thursday. He said Gen Prayut extended his gratitude to the House Speaker, Senate Speaker and members of both Houses for their support and cooperation for the smooth session on Wednesday.

"The prime minister stressed that the majority votes first came from House of Representatives and then were combined with the votes from senators, creating a total of 500 votes. This goes along with a conventional rule," the deputy government spokesman said.

The prime minister also thanked some MPs who, though not voting for him, performed their duties well, he said.

Gen Prayut promised to do his best for the country, religions, the monarch and the people. "From now on, everyone should cooperate for the benefits of the country and people. Many more problems have yet to be solved. Lessons from the past should be applied to the present," Lt Gen Werachon said.

Thai people should participate in the reforms of politics and the administration for national interests, he said.

Gen Prayut also thanked people for playing their part in the smooth general election, Lt Gen Werachon said.

The Senate and the House voted on Wednesday to choose the prime minister, with 747 of all 750 present. Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was suspended from performing his MP duties, Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party resigned as MP minutes before the vote began and FFP MP Jumpita Chantarakachorn was sick. 

Of all 250 appointed senators present, 249 voted for Gen Prayut. Senate speaker Pornpetch Wichitchonchai, in his capacity as a presiding Parliament Speaker, abstained.

Of 497 MPs present, 251 voted for Gen Prayut while 244 voted for Mr Thanathorn. Two MPs abstained -- Parliament Speaker Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party and Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a Si Sa Ket MP of Bhumjaithai Party. 

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