Thai coup leader Prayuth confirmed as PM

Thailand's new parliament has confirmed military junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha as civilian prime minister, five years after he seized power from an elected government while he was army chief.

The 500-244 vote on Wednesday came after a March 24 general election that opposition parties say was designed to extend and legitimise military dominance over government.

After a marathon day of debate, the now-retired army chief secured the 375 votes needed to become premier in a combined ballot by both houses of parliament, one of which was entirely appointed in a process controlled by the junta.

Prayuth - who was not present for the vote - easily defeated Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a charismatic political newcomer who was nominated by the opposition Democratic Front, which comprises seven parties that want to remove the military from politics.

Prayuth will now lead an unwieldy 19-party coalition government that has a slim majority in the lower House of Representatives, but could be vulnerable to defections and infighting.