Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has been elected as Thailand’s 32nd prime minister, becoming the country’s fourth premier in just over two years. His appointment sets the stage for a countdown to fresh general elections, expected early next year.
Following a heated two-hour debate in the House of Representatives on Friday, Mr. Anutin secured 311 votes, while Pheu Thai Party nominee Chaikasem Nitisiri received 152. A further 27 lawmakers abstained.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha will now seek royal endorsement for Mr. Anutin’s appointment, after which the cabinet selection process will begin.
Despite his victory in Parliament, Mr. Anutin’s popularity among the public remains limited. A Nida Poll released in June ranked him as the fourth most preferred candidate for prime minister, with support from only 9.64% of respondents.
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party topped the survey with 31.5%, though he was not eligible to contest the premiership.
The People’s Party has nevertheless emerged as a key player, agreeing to back a Bhumjaithai minority government under strict conditions.
The most significant of these is a requirement that the House be dissolved within four months of the government’s policy statement, paving the way for elections as early as February or March.
During Friday’s debate, supporters of Mr. Anutin argued that his leadership would bring stability and constitutional reform.
Akkharasaenkhiri Lohweera, a Klatham MP from Chaiyaphum, said an Anutin premiership would return power to the people.
Suratin Picharn, leader of the New Democracy Party, praised Mr. Anutin’s handling of recent border tensions with Cambodia, expressing confidence in his ability to deliver peace and stability.
Critics, however, voiced strong reservations. Pheu Thai list-MP Chaturon Chaisang warned that the pact with the People’s Party could place Bhumjaithai under opposition control, weakening democracy.
Fellow Pheu Thai member Cholnan Srikaew argued that the agreement amounted to trading away 14 million votes for a party that won only one million in the 2023 election, calling it a dangerous compromise.
Concerns over alleged vote-buying also surfaced. Pheu Thai’s Adisorn Piangkes claimed sums ranging from 1.5 to 2 billion baht were involved in securing support, urging Mr. Anutin to address the accusations.
His remarks drew protests from MPs who had shifted allegiance to the Bhumjaithai leader.
Other lawmakers questioned the suitability of Mr. Chaikasem, noting his resignation from Parliament in 2023 due to health issues.
Wittaya Kaewparadai of the United Thai Nation Party said dissolving the House immediately, as Mr. Chaikasem pledged, would not resolve pressing issues such as the lack of a functioning government.
He added that he would support Mr. Anutin if reassured that constitutional amendments would not affect key provisions relating to the monarchy.
Closing the debate, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut insisted that the coming months would mark a turning point in Thai politics.
He said his party was ready to form the strongest opposition in history if necessary but backed Mr. Anutin to break the political deadlock and clear the path for elections.
Mr. Natthaphong added that all parties must now prepare for the next election within four to six months, stressing that credibility would depend on whether promises are kept.
