Bhumjaithai’s Sophon elected House SpeakerThai lawmakers on Sunday elected Sophon Zaram, a Bhumjaithai Party MP for Buriram, the new House speaker. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The House of Representatives on Sunday elected Bhumjaithai’s Sophon Zaram as speaker, with 289 votes, defeating People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who received 123. The sitting was chaired by Pheu Thai list MP Pairote Lohsunthorn, the most senior member, who served as temporary speaker to oversee the secret ballot. Bhumjaithai nominated Mallika Jirapunvanit, a Lop Buri MP and deputy transport minister, for first deputy speaker, while coalition partner Pheu Thai nominated Lertsak Pattanachaikul, an MP for Loei, for the second deputy speakership. With no rival candidates, both nominees briefly presented their visions before being formally approved by the chamber.

Source: Bangkok Post March 15, 2026 07:37 UTC