Thailand's Parliament convened to choose a new Prime Minister on Friday (September 5, 2025) after days of political chaos, in a vote that could be overshadowed by the dramatic departure from the country of its most powerful politician, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Polarising billionaire Mr. Thaksin, the central figure in a tumultuous two-decade battle for power in Thailand, left on his private jet for Dubai late on Thursday (September 4, 2025), with his family's ruling party Pheu Thai in disarray.