Prime Minister of Thailand Every prime minister since Manopakorn Nititada has been Buddhist. The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand must be a member of the House of Representatives. Therefore, the qualifications for the office of prime minister are the same as the qualifications for membership in the house. Prior to the coup d'état, to be appointed, the nominee for the office must have the support of one-fifth of the members of the House of Representatives. Then after a simple-majority vote in the house, a resolution will be passed and submitted to the king, who will then make a formal appointment by giving
Prime minister-designate leader of the largest opposition party therefore could still become prime minister-designate perhaps several weeks after the general election. The term prime minister-elect is sometimes used as a synonym, but in most circumstances it is technically incorrect: a prime minister is usually appointed by the head of state, and not elected to office by the entire nation, as is the case with some presidential polls. However, it has nonetheless seen common use in the media. Terms such as incoming prime minister and prime minister-in-waiting are also sometimes used, although the latter term is also sometimes used prior to an election