Anutin Charnvirakul Emerges as Thailand's New Prime Minister

Bangkok, Sep 5 (AP) - Veteran Thai politician Anutin Charnvirakul has emerged victorious in a parliamentary vote held on Friday, marking his ascent as Thailand’s next prime minister, as indicated by an unofficial tally aired live on television.

Anutin, the leader of the Bhumjaithai party, secured over the 247 votes required out of the 492 active members in the House of Representatives to claim the majority. His total awaits certification upon the completion of voting. Following a formal endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Anutin and his administration are anticipated to assume office in the coming days.

Anutin takes over from Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was dismissed from her role as prime minister last week following a court ruling. She was found guilty of ethics violations concerning a controversial phone call with Hun Sen, Cambodia's Senate President, escalating into a significant five-day armed conflict in July.

Previously serving in Paetongtarn's cabinet, Anutin resigned from his position and withdrew his party's support from her coalition government after the phone call's leak caused a widespread public uproar.

From the five candidates nominated during the 2023 general election, only those individuals were deemed eligible in accordance with Thailand’s constitutional guidelines.

On Tuesday, Pheu Thai, which currently heads a caretaker government, attempted to dissolve Parliament, but their request was reportedly denied by the king’s Privy Council.

Anutin, aged 58, had been part of the Pheu Thai-led coalition government since 2023 and, prior to that, served in former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s military-backed elected administration.

Anutin is particularly recognized for his successful campaign to decriminalize cannabis, now facing stricter regulation for medicinal purposes. His prominent role as health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic came under scrutiny when he faced accusations over delayed vaccine procurement.

His party has pledged to dissolve Parliament within four months to secure backing from the People's Party. According to the party’s leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, it will remain in opposition, posing potential challenges for the new government as a minority coalition.

The People's Party has emphasized that Anutin's government must promise a referendum for drafting a new constitution through an elected constituent assembly, as they aim for a more democratic framework than the one imposed by a previous military government.

Formerly known as the Move Forward Party, the People's Party garnered the most seats in the 2023 election but was denied power after a joint House and Senate vote rejected its prime ministerial candidate. The military-appointed Senate, backing the royalist conservative establishment, opposed the party's monarchy reform policies.

The Senate is no longer entitled to participate in prime ministerial elections.

Following Move Forward's thwarted plans to lead, Pheu Thai had Srettha Thavisin, a real estate executive, approved as prime minister to steer a coalition government. However, Srettha’s term was curtailed to a year after the Constitutional Court dismissed him due to ethical breaches.

Paetongtarn, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, succeeded Srettha, only to be ousted after a year. Before her removal, her government’s stability was compromised when the Bhumjaithai party left the coalition in response to her contentious call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen this past June.

Their departure left Pheu Thai’s coalition with a precarious and slim majority in Parliament. (AP)

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