Tycoon Anutin leads pack as Thai parliament votes for new PM

Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul gesturing as he attends a voting session for a new prime minister at Parliament. - Reuters

BANGKOK: Thailand's parliament began voting for a new prime minister on Friday (Sept 5) in a ballot that looks set to install a right-wing tycoon in place of the nation's dominant political dynasty after its figurehead was sacked by court order.

The Pheu Thai party of the powerful Shinawatra family has monopolised Thailand's top office since 2023 elections, but dynasty heiress Paetongtarn Shinawatra was sacked as prime minister by a court ruling last week.