Thailand's Srettha to become PM after securing endorsement of parliament

Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin who is the sole candidate nominated for a parliamentary vote, reacts while speaking to media at the party headquarters, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Pheu Thai Party's Srettha Thavisin will become Thailand's prime minister after winning the backing of lawmakers on Tuesday in a joint vote of the bicameral parliament.

Srettha, a real estate mogul thrust into politics just a few months before a May general election, passed the threshold of 375 votes needed to become premier and form the next government.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng; Writing by Martin Petty)