Thailand selects Anutin as the new head of government

Thailand's New Prime Minister: Anutin Charnvirakul

After a tumultuous political landscape, Thailand has a new prime minister. Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Bhumjaithai party, was voted in by the House of Representatives and is expected to take office in the coming days.

Anutin received more than the required majority of 247 votes from the House's 492 active members. His victory comes after the People's Party won the most seats in the 2023 election but was kept from power due to a joint vote of the House and Senate.

Anutin's political career has been marked by several notable stints. He served in both the Pheu Thai-led coalition government and the military-backed government under former prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. However, he resigned from Paetongtarn's Cabinet after a leaked phone call caused a public uproar.

Anutin is known for his role in decriminalizing cannabis and his high-profile role as minister of health during the COVID-19 pandemic. His party, Bhumjaithai, has promised to dissolve Parliament within four months and organize a referendum for drafting a new constitution via an elected constitutional assembly, aiming for constitutional changes that pave the way for a new charter.

Anutin's prime ministership is expected to be certified after voting is completed. He succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was dismissed by court order as Thai prime minister last week. Paetongtarn, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter, also served for a year as prime minister before being forced out.

The People's Party has long sought changes to the constitution, imposed during a military government, to make it more democratic. Their attempts to dissolve Parliament were recently rejected by the king's Privy Council.

The political instability in Thailand has led to a deadly five-day armed conflict in July due to the dispute. The Senate no longer holds the right to take part in the vote for prime minister.

It is worth noting that senators, appointed by a military government, voted against the progressive party due to their opposition to reforms to the monarchy. This decision highlights the complexities and deep-rooted divisions within Thai politics.

Anutin's tenure as prime minister is expected to be a significant chapter in Thailand's political history. His party's promises of constitutional changes and a dissolution of Parliament within four months will be closely watched by the Thai people and the international community.