A total of 296 MPs voted in support of Ms Yingluck, the country’s first female prime minister, while three Democrat MPs voted against her, with 197 abstentions - including Ms Yingluck, the new  speaker and one of his deputies, and most members of the main opposition parties, the Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties, and lone wolf Chuvit Kamolvisit.

The three Democrat lawmakers who voted against Ms Yingluck were Boonyod Sukthinthai, Watchara Phetthong and Attaporn Ponlaboot.

The four MPs who did not attend the first House meeting today were Ratchadaporn Kaewsanit, Khanchit Thapsuwan, Yukol Chanawatpanya and Sathit Pitutaecha.

The meeting to elect the new prime minister started about 10am, chaired by House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont.