Thailand’s parliament has elected Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, as the country’s new prime minister.
The vote, held on Friday, saw Anutin replace Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, who was dismissed last month by the Constitutional Court over an ethics violation, reports Reuters.
Anutin triumphed over Chaikasem Nitisiri, the candidate from the populist Pheu Thai Party, securing significant backing from the liberal People’s Party. The People’s Party support was contingent upon Anutin’s promise to call a general election within four months.
Anutin garnered 311 votes, well above the 247 votes required for a majority in the House of Representatives, which has 492 active members. In contrast, Chaikasem received 152 votes, with 27 members abstaining.
Former deputy prime minister Chalerm Yubamrung, a member of Pheu Thai, surprised parliament by crossing the aisle to support Anutin.
The new government is expected to take office soon, following a formal appointment from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
A blow to the Shinawatra dynasty
Anutin’s victory marks a significant blow to the Shinawatra clan, a dominant force in Thai politics for the past two decades. The family’s populist movement has long battled with the pro-military, pro-monarchy establishment but has faced increasing legal and political challenges in recent years.
Thaksin Shinawatra, the patriarch of the dynasty, left Thailand in the hours leading up to Friday’s vote, reportedly heading to Dubai. The Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on Tuesday regarding Thaksin’s controversial hospital stay following his return from exile in August 2023.
While the case does not concern his guilt, analysts suggest the verdict could potentially lead to his re-incarceration. Thaksin has stated on social media that he will return to Thailand to attend the court hearing “in person.”
Anutin, who previously supported the Pheu Thai coalition, broke away from it earlier this summer, reportedly due to dissatisfaction with Paetongtarn’s handling of a border dispute with Cambodia. On August 29, the Constitutional Court found Paetongtarn guilty of breaching ministerial ethics and dismissed her after just one year in office.
For the moment, Pheu Thai continues to govern in a caretaker capacity. The party made a final attempt to delay Friday’s vote by requesting that the royal palace dissolve parliament.
However, royal officials rejected the request, citing legal ambiguities surrounding Pheu Thai’s authority to take such action as an interim administration, according to acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
