The Democrat Party on Wednesday elected Jurin Laksanavisit to be its new leader.
Mr Jurin garnered 160 votes from 291 members selected to vote, followed by Pirapan Salirathvibhaga (102), Korn Chatikavanij (19) and Apirak Kosayodhin (10).
His win was widely expected after the party-list MP became acting Democrat leader after the resignation of Abhisit Vejjajiva following the party's poor showing in the March 24 election.
Mr Jurin entered politics in Phangnga in 1983, but lost his first election. He won election three years later and has never lost since then.
He promised to bring change to the Democrat Party, but also to restore unity after voters ousted their candidates from their Bangkok stronghold.
The first major decision for the party and its new set of executives is to decide whether to join the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) in a coalition government with Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister.
