Summary:
- Srettha Thavisin, a political novice and real estate tycoon, becomes Thailand's 30th prime minister after a parliamentary vote.
- His appointment ends a three-month-long political deadlock that followed the May general election.
- Srettha is affiliated with Pertai party and enjoys the support of former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
- He faces challenges of reviving the economy, fulfilling campaign promises, and democratizing the nation.
Thailand has a brand new leader. Srettha Thavisin, a political novice and real estate tycoon, was approved to be Thailand's 30th prime minister in a fresh parliamentary vote on August 22. This ends more than three months of political deadlock that has gripped the nation since the general election in May. Srettha is set to head a new government led by Pertai, the party that came second in the election. He's a close confidant of former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the effective leader of the party, who returned to Thailand for the first time in 15 years after cutting a deal with his former enemies in the military establishment. Srettha's name was put forward after Pita Lim-Jernrat, the Move Forward Party's leader and the people's popular choice, was blocked from power by the military-appointed Senate and conservative lawmakers.
Economic and political challenges await Srettha now that he has clinched the country's top political office. His top priority will be to invigorate an economy that has lagged behind Southeast Asian neighbors. He will also have to follow through with Pertai's campaign promises, such as lifting the minimum wage by 70% and raising Thailand's GDP growth to an average of 5% annually. Additionally, he will be tasked with making good on a promise to swiftly rewrite the constitution to make Thailand more democratic.
Srettha Thavisin's tenure as Thailand's new prime minister begins amidst high expectations and significant challenges. The nation will be watching closely as he takes steps to steer the country through economic recovery and political reforms.