Thai Parliament to hold next PM vote on July 19

Pita Limjaroenrat was the sole candidate in Thursday’s ballot but fell 51 votes short of the 375 lawmakers he needed. - AFP

BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's parliament confirmed Friday (July 14) it would vote again for a new prime minister next week, after military-appointed lawmakers foiled liberal frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat's bid for the top job.

Pita's Move Forward Party (MFP) won the most seats in the May elections, buoyed by young Thais eager for progressive reforms after nine years of army-backed rule in the kingdom.