Thailand's junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha was elected late Wednesday as the kingdom's first civilian Prime Minister since the 2014 coup he led, in a vote by a parliament stacked with appointed allies of the conservative, arch-royalist army.
Prayut swept aside his sole challenger, the charismatic 40-year-old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit who led the anti-military bloc, garnering 500 votes to his rival's 244.
Victory for the retired general was all but guaranteed by the support of the handpicked 250-member senate and the late swing of key secondary parties into an army-affiliated coalition after frantic behind-the-scenes talks.
The senate, which was appointed by the junta, includes scores of military officers and loyalists -- many identifiable as they read out Prayut's name by their short serviceman's haircuts.
His election completes a journey for the 65-year-old Prayut from gruff army chief who toppled the last civilian Government to Prime Minister, with claims to legitimacy after an unexpectedly strong showing from his army-linked party in a March general election.
Yet Thailand remains bitterly divided after 13 years defined by coups, violent street protests and short-lived civilian Governments.
At their root is a rivalry between an arch-royalist conservative establishment and pro-democracy parties supported by many in the lower and middle class as well as young people wearied by the rule of hectoring generals.