Thai ruling party tightens grip on power with House speaker post
The Straits Times
Mr Sophon Saram has been selected as speaker of the 500-member House of Representatives. Read more at straitstimes.com.
BANGKOK – Thailand’s ruling party has wasted little time in translating its surprise election win into institutional control, tightening its grip on Parliament and edging closer to forming a new government.
Newly elected lawmakers on March 15 selected Mr Sophon Saram, a senior figure in Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party, as speaker of the 500-member House of Representatives.
Mr Sophon received 289 votes, compared with the 123 for the opposition People’s Party candidate.
The role is pivotal in Thailand’s parliamentary system, as the speaker sets legislative agendas and schedules key votes for the Lower House, including the upcoming session to formally select the prime minister.
The move clears the way for Mr Anutin to secure another term after his party’s strong showing in the Feb 8 election.
Bhumjaithai won 192 seats to become the largest bloc in Parliament – a rare victory for a conservative party in a country where rival pro-democracy groups have often won the vote only to be removed from power through court rulings or military coups.
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