Thai House Speaker Sophon Zaram announced today that Anutin Charnvirakul received 293 votes from lawmakers, surpassing his opponent Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who garnered 119 votes. Eighty-six lawmakers abstained.
Anutin told reporters before the vote, "I hope to remain in office to serve the people for as long as possible. Those who know me understand that whenever issues affect the public, I immediately speak up and address their needs."
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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at parliament in Bangkok on 19/3. Photo: AFP |
Anutin, 59, is a millionaire heir to a vast fortune in the construction industry and a proponent of cannabis legalization in Thailand. He became Thailand's interim prime minister in 9/2025 after his predecessor Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed by the Constitutional Court for ethical violations.
In the parliamentary election in February, Anutin's Bhumjaithai party secured its best-ever electoral victory. The party pledged to build a wall along the border with Cambodia, close all border crossings with the neighboring nation, and recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers. These commitments helped it win the most seats, positioning Anutin to lead the government.
The Pheu Thai party, which ranked thu ba and is linked to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has agreed to join a coalition government with Bhumjaithai and 14 other smaller parties.
The Dang Nhan Dan Cai Cach party, which had led pre-election polls but ultimately placed thu hai in votes, will lead the opposition.
Thailand's new government will have to contend with the impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, slowing economic growth, and prolonged border tensions with Cambodia.
Huyen Le (According to AFP)
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