Thailand's Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit speaks during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 4, 2019. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is challenging Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for post-election prime minister on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Thailand's Future Forward Party)
BANGKOK, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is challenging Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for post-election prime minister on Wednesday.
Future Forward party spokesperson Phannikar Wanich said on Tuesday the so-called seven-party alliance, led by the Pheu Thai Party, has resolved to name Thanathorn as candidate for prime minister in Wednesday's joint House of Represetatives-Senate meeting to elect a prime minister.
Thanathorn is challenging Prayut who is named as candidate for prime minister by the Palang Pracharath Party in bid to help him retain power following the March 24 election.
Phannikar commented that the Pheu Thai Party which earlier named a trio candidates for prime minister has finally agreed to leave it to the Future Forward party leader to challenge Prayut for the top post of government.
Those Pheu Thai candidates, namely the party's electoral campaign manager Sudarat Keyuraphan, former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt and former justice minister Chaikasem Nitisiri, would gain less votes than Thanathorn, according to the Future Forward spokesperson.
The alliance of seven parties includes the Pheu Thai Party, Future Forward Party, Thai Liberal Party, Prachachart Party, New Economics Party, Puea Chat Party and Thai People Power Party.
A total of 499 MPs and 250 senators are voting for prime minister in the joint parliamentary meeting on Wednesday. The only missing MP is Thanathorn who currently has his MP duties suspended by court and thus he cannot vote.
