Anutin Charnvirakul Becomes Thailand’s New Prime Minister

Thailand, currently gripped by political turmoil, has elected Anutin Charnvirakul, President of the country’s second-largest political party, Bhumjaithai Party, as its new Prime Minister. The election took place on Friday in the Thai Parliament, where Members of Parliament cast their votes.

According to a report by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, Anutin’s main rival was Chikasem Nitisiri, a senior and influential leader of Thailand’s largest political party, Pheu Thai Party. However, Anutin secured a decisive victory with the majority of MPs voting in his favour.

The Vote in Parliament

The House of Representatives in Thailand has a total of 492 seats, and Anutin, aged 58, needed at least 247 votes to secure the premiership.

With 311 votes in favour, Anutin comfortably surpassed the required threshold and was officially elected as Prime Minister.

Background to the Political Crisis

On 29 August, Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, ruling that she had violated ethical standards. Paetongtarn, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, made history as the youngest Prime Minister in Thailand but was ousted just one year into her term.

Friday’s parliamentary vote confirmed Anutin Charnvirakul as Paetongtarn’s successor.

The Shinawatra Connection

The Pheu Thai Party, Thailand’s largest political force, remains under the control of the Shinawatra family.

• Paetongtarn Shinawatra: Former Prime Minister (ousted August 2025)
• Thaksin Shinawatra: Former Prime Minister, Paetongtarn’s father
• Coalition history: In last year’s elections, the Bhumjaithai Party allied with Pheu Thai, leading to Paetongtarn becoming Prime Minister and Anutin taking the post of Deputy Prime Minister.

However, the coalition fractured in June after a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen triggered heavy criticism. Following the scandal, the Constitutional Court later removed Paetongtarn, while Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the coalition.

Support from the Opposition

During Friday’s vote, Thailand’s main opposition party, the People’s Party, backed Anutin Charnvirakul.

A People’s Party MP, speaking anonymously to Reuters, stated: “Anutin has promised us that within the next four months he will dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections. That is why we supported him. If he fails to keep his word, the People’s Party will withdraw its support.”

With this development, Anutin Charnvirakul steps into the role of Prime Minister amid Thailand’s ongoing political uncertainty, tasked with navigating both fractured alliances and public expectations.

Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera