Pita only PM candidate nominated for parliamentary vote

Pita Limjaroenrat arriving at the Parliament, in Bangkok, Thailand on July 13. - AP

BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's prime ministerial hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat is braced for a critical test of his political clout on Thursday (July 13), as parliament convened for a high-stakes vote on the premiership that could test the unity of his eight-party alliance.

The 42-year-old leader of surprise election winners Move Forward was the only candidate nominated on Thursday, but he faces a big challenge in securing the required backing of more than half of the 749-member bicameral parliament in a vote expected by late afternoon.