Srettha becomes the 30th prime minister of Thailand

Srettha Thavisin, the PM-elect of Thailand

Former real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin has been selected as the 30th prime minister of Thailand on Tuesday, after having received overwhelming support from members of parliament and senators in a joint sitting.

The final vote tally was 482 in favour, 165 against and 81 abstentions from the combined 705 MPs and senators participating. Of the 482 votes for Srettha, 330 are MPs and 152 are senators. Of the 164 votes against him, 152 votes are MPs and 12 are senators. The 81 abstentions were 13 MPs and 68 senators.

Srettha, 60, is one of the Pheu Thai party’s three prime ministerial candidates, which also include Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Chaikasem Nitisiri. He waited at Pheu Thai headquarters for the final result of the vote, because he is not an MP.

Srettha is a former president and chief executive of real estate developer Sansiri…