Anutin Charnvirakul Elected Thai Prime Minister Amid Political Shake-Up

In a significant political development, Thailand’s parliament has elected Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai party, as the nation’s new prime minister. The decisive vote, held on Friday, sees Charnvirakul taking the helm from Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party, who was ousted by the Constitutional Court in August following an ethics scandal.

Charnvirakul clinched victory over populist Pheu Thai candidate Chaikasem Nitisiri, notably securing critical backing from the liberal People’s Party. This support was contingent on his pledge to call a general election within four months. He garnered a commanding 311 votes, comfortably surpassing the 247-vote majority required among the 492 active members of the House of Representatives. Chaikasem received 152 votes, with 27 abstentions recorded. A notable moment during the vote saw Chalerm Yubamrung, a former deputy prime minister and member of Pheu Thai, cross the aisle along with eight party colleagues.

Anutin Charnvirakul and his newly formed government are anticipated to officially assume duties in the coming days, pending formal royal appointment by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

This electoral triumph for the 58-year-old political veteran represents a fresh setback for the influential Shinawatra clan, a dominant force in Thai politics for two decades. Their populist movement, which has frequently clashed with the pro-military, pro-monarchy establishment, has faced escalating legal and political challenges. Adding to the family’s woes, patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra departed Thailand for Dubai just hours before Friday’s crucial vote. The Supreme Court is poised to deliver a significant ruling next Tuesday concerning Thaksin’s controversial hospital stay following his return from exile in August 2023, a verdict that could impact the legitimacy of his early release last year. Though the case does not directly address his guilt, analysts suggest the ruling could potentially lead to his re-imprisonment.

The Pheu Thai party, currently serving in a caretaker capacity, had made a last-ditch effort to prevent Friday’s vote by requesting a parliamentary dissolution from the royal palace, but this bid was rejected. In the wake of the vote, Pheu Thai has vowed to regain power and fulfill its policy agenda, stating its readiness to serve as the parliamentary opposition.

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