Thailand elects Anutin Charnvirakul as new Prime Minister

Thailand’s parliament has elected Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the conservative opposition Bhumjaithai Party, as the country’s new prime minister.

The vote, held on Friday, marks the replacement of Paetongtarn Shinawatra from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, who was recently dismissed by the Constitutional Court amid an ethics scandal.

Anutin secured a decisive victory over Chaikasem Nitisiri, the candidate from the populist Pheu Thai Party, with crucial backing from the liberal People’s Party. The support from the largest party in parliament came on the condition that Anutin would call for a general election within four months.

The Bhumjaithai leader won 311 votes, comfortably surpassing the 247 votes needed for a majority in the House of Representatives, which has 492 active members. Chaikasem received 152 votes, while 27 members abstained.

In a surprising move, Chalerm Yubamrung, a member of the Pheu Thai Party and former deputy prime minister, crossed the aisle to support Anutin.

Anutin and his new government are expected to be formally appointed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in the coming days before taking office.