Top UN rights body elects Thailand’s ambassador as president for 1 year

Thai voted chair of top UN rights body for 1 year

GENEVA — The U.N. Human Rights Council has unanimously elected Thailand’s ambassador in Geneva as its president for the coming year.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow succeeds Belgium’s Alex Van Meeuwen after being nominated as the Asian region’s sole candidate.

Asia is entitled to name the new chair under rules intended to ensure that each region holds the rotating presidency of the 47-member council every five years.

Phuangketkeow’s election Monday follows criticism by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights of the recent violent protests in Thailand.

Navi Pillay last month urged the Thai government to ensure an independent investigation of the street clashes in which some 90 people died and about 1,800 were wounded.