KUALA LUMPUR – Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has been elected Thailand’s new prime minister, securing 311 votes in a parliamentary vote on Friday.
The 58-year-old defeated Chaikasem Nitisiri, the Pheu Thai Party’s candidate, surpassing the 247-vote threshold required under the Constitution to assume office.
This victory comes after a period of intense political instability, with Anutin’s triumph marking the culmination of a dramatic week in Thai politics.
Anutin’s rise to the premiership follows the removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court after a ruling on charges involving border negotiations with Cambodia.
Anutin’s success was not without its complications. Earlier on Thursday, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister, left the country under the guise of seeking medical treatment in Singapore, only for his flight to be diverted to Dubai, where he had previously lived in exile.
Thaksin announced via social media that he would return for a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, though his abrupt departure sparked further controversy.
Thaksin, who had previously been ousted from office during a coup in 2006, returned to Thailand in 2023 after years in exile, only to serve an eight-year prison sentence.
His sentence was later reduced to one year following a royal pardon. However, his ongoing legal issues could yet lead to additional jail time, with the Supreme Court set to rule on the legality of his early release in the coming days.
Anutin, a seasoned politician with a history of strategic alliances, secured the support of the opposition People’s Party, which provided him with the votes necessary for his win.
The agreement included a promise to hold new elections within four months, a key condition for the opposition’s backing.
Despite his victory, Anutin will lead a minority government, as the People’s Party, although a critical ally, will not join his administration.
Notably, Anutin’s campaign centred on his controversial role in decriminalising cannabis in Thailand, which has led to the proliferation of marijuana retail businesses across the country. His leadership has been characterised by his firm conservative values, including a strong allegiance to the monarchy.
As Anutin takes the reins of Thailand’s government, the country’s political landscape remains fragile.
The Pheu Thai Party, once the dominant force in Thai politics under the Shinawatra family, has been severely weakened.
With ongoing internal turmoil and the looming court decision regarding Thaksin, Anutin’s premiership may prove to be short-lived.
Anutin’s election comes as Thailand grapples with a sluggish economy, exacerbated by rising household debt and a lack of consumer spending.
His new government will need to navigate these challenges while addressing growing public discontent with the political establishment.
In the midst of his triumph, Anutin was asked whether he had sought divine intervention in the lead-up to the vote.
He replied simply, “I prayed to my parents,” reflecting his personal approach to the tense political situation.
Meanwhile, Thaksin’s departure has added yet another layer of complexity to Thailand’s already unstable political environment. As the country waits for the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision, the future of Thailand’s leadership remains uncertain. – September 9, 2025