Bangkok, Aug 21 (IANS): Thailand's National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Thursday selected military junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha as the interim prime minister.

A total of 194 NLA members were present, with 191 of them voting for the sole candidate Prayuth and the other three, including the NLA president and two deputies, choosing to abstain, reported Xinhua.

The result will be forwarded to Thailand's king Bhumibol Adulyadej for endorsement.

Prayuth was absent from the voting. He was reportedly outside capital Bangkok for attending activities marking the founding of the 21st Infantry Regiment Queen's Guard.

The new PM will select up to 35 cabinet members and an interim government is expected to start operation in Sept.

In addition to members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), prominent political figures like Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Chartthaipattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silpa-archa also voiced support for Prayuth to be selected as the prime minister.