THAILAND’S caretaker leader Anutin Charnvirakul was formally chosen by his party on Wednesday to stand as its candidate for prime minister in the general election scheduled for early February, positioning himself to benefit from a surge of nationalist sentiment linked to the ongoing border conflict with Cambodia.
Anutin dissolved parliament earlier this month, less than 100 days after being elected premier, after his minority government faced the prospect of a no-confidence vote. The move paved the way for a snap election on February 8.
Addressing party members and supporters on Wednesday, Anutin said he and the Bhumjaithai Party were prepared to return to power, describing the upcoming vote as “the most consequential poll” for the conservative party since its formation in 2008.
“Today we are sure and ready to enter the election race to serve Thailand and its people,” Reuters reported him saying. “This is the first time the Thai people have high expectations from the Bhumjaithai Party.”
Anutin said that if re-elected, key members of his administration would retain their posts, including Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
The caretaker premier is seeking to harness growing nationalist feeling generated by the conflict with Cambodia, which resurfaced during his tenure. Analysts, however, caution that the election could be closely contested and may not deliver a clear majority for any single party.
Yodchanan Wongsawat, a leading prime ministerial contender from the Pheu Thai Party, told Reuters that he would be open to joining a coalition government following the election.
According to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration, Bhumjaithai is currently polling at 9.92 per cent, placing it fourth among the major parties contesting the vote.
The same survey found that 32.36 per cent of voters remain undecided, suggesting significant room for shifts in voter support in the weeks ahead.
Bhumjaithai finished third in the 2023 general election and subsequently joined a Pheu Thai-led governing coalition, which it remained part of until June this year. The party withdrew its support after a leaked phone call between then prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
Paetongtarn was later removed from office by the Constitutional Court in August, creating the opening for Anutin to assume the premiership. Widely regarded as a skilled political operator, Anutin secured the top job through a parliamentary vote in September after striking a deal with the opposition People’s Party, the largest bloc in parliament.
That agreement collapsed earlier this month, triggering the dissolution of parliament and setting the stage for February’s earlier-than-expected general election. - December 24, 2025
