VETERAN Thai politician Anutin Charnvirakul has won a vote in Parliament to become the country’s next prime minister, marking the latest political reshuffle in a nation beset by ongoing instability. The result, still awaiting formal certification, was announced during a live televised session of the House of Representatives on Friday.
AP reported on Friday that Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, secured over 247 votes from the 492 active MPs — surpassing the simple majority required to take office. His appointment is expected to be formalised within days by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
He will succeed Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was dismissed last week by the Constitutional Court after being found guilty of breaching ethics rules in relation to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s Senate President, Hun Sen. The call, seen as compromising national interests, triggered a five-day armed confrontation along the Thai-Cambodian border in July.
Anutin had previously served in Paetongtarn’s Cabinet but resigned and withdrew Bhumjaithai from her coalition following the scandal. The party’s exit left her government with a fragile minority, leading to a swift collapse.
“Through this transition, we reaffirm the need for stability and legitimacy in leadership,” Anutin said in remarks following the vote. “My government will honour democratic principles and deliver the reform agenda the public expects.”
Only five candidates, all nominated during the 2023 general election, were eligible for selection under Thailand’s constitutional framework. Pheu Thai, the caretaker ruling party, attempted to dissolve Parliament earlier this week, but the bid was reportedly rejected by the King’s Privy Council.
At 58, Anutin brings considerable experience to the role, having served in both the previous Pheu Thai-led government and the earlier military-backed administration under Prayuth Chan-ocha. He rose to prominence for championing the decriminalisation of cannabis, a landmark but now controversial policy currently being re-evaluated under tighter medical regulations.
He also served as public health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, a tenure marked by criticism over delays in securing vaccine supplies.
While Bhumjaithai’s ascendancy has brought a measure of clarity, Anutin’s new government may still struggle to govern effectively. It is likely to operate without a clear parliamentary majority, as the opposition People’s Party — formerly known as the Move Forward Party — has pledged not to join the coalition.
In exchange for its support in the vote, the People’s Party demanded a commitment to dissolving Parliament within four months and holding a referendum on drafting a new constitution through an elected assembly.
“The country must move forward with a people-led process to build a more democratic charter,” said the People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut.
The current constitution, imposed during Thailand’s military rule, remains a contentious issue. The Senate, whose members were appointed by the junta, had previously blocked the People’s Party from forming a government in 2023, citing its stance on monarchy reform. However, the Senate no longer plays a role in selecting the prime minister, a shift that opened the path for Anutin’s rise.
Following the fall of Move Forward’s bid for power, Pheu Thai’s Srettha Thavisin was briefly approved as prime minister, only to be dismissed after one year due to ethical violations. His successor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, also lasted just a year before being removed by the court.
Anutin’s appointment signals yet another chapter in Thailand’s volatile political landscape, but the veteran politician now faces the formidable task of navigating a divided Parliament, fragile alliances and a public eager for change.
“We must earn the people’s trust not through rhetoric, but through action,” Anutin said. “That starts now.” - Sept 25, 2025
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