Anutin Charnvirakul Becomes Thailand's New Prime Minister
In a recent turn of events, Anutin Charnvirakul, spearhead of the conservative Bhumjaithai party, has been elected as the new prime minister of Thailand. This development signifies a significant shift in power, as he replaces the previous prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was ousted by the Constitutional Court due to an ethics violation.
The Selection Process
Anutin's victory was a result of a voting process where he triumphed over Chaikasem Nitisiri, the candidate from the populist Pheu Thai party. His win was made possible due to the backing of the liberal People’s Party, the largest party in the parliament. In return for their support, Anutin has committed to organizing a general election within the next four months.
The Victory
The victory was a resounding one, with Anutin securing 311 votes, which surpassed the minimum requirement of 247 votes needed to secure a majority among the 492 active members of the House of Representatives. In contrast, his opponent, Chaikasem, only received 152 votes, with a total of 27 abstentions.
One of the surprising elements of this election was the stand taken by Chalerm Yubamrung, a member of Pheu Thai and a former deputy prime minister. He, along with eight of his party colleagues, crossed party lines to back Anutin.
It is anticipated that Anutin and his government will assume office in a few days, following an official appointment by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Impact on the Shinawatra Clan
The successful election of Anutin, a 58-year-old veteran, marks a major setback for the Shinawatra family, a prominent force in Thai politics for the past twenty years. The family's populist movement, which has frequently clashed with the pro-military, pro-monarchy establishment, has been facing numerous legal and political challenges recently.
The family's patriarch, Thaksin Shinawatra, left Thailand just before the vote. The future of his early release last year is uncertain, as the Supreme Court is due to decide on a case related to Thaksin’s hospital stay after returning from exile. Although the case doesn't directly deal with his guilt, the verdict could lead to his imprisonment.
Anutin had previously supported the Pheu Thai coalition but distanced himself due to a disagreement over the handling of a border dispute with neighboring Cambodia by Paetongtarn, Thaksin’s daughter and protégé. Paetongtarn was dismissed by Thailand’s Constitutional Court on the grounds of breaching ministerial ethics after just a year in power.
The Way Forward
Despite the setback, the Pheu Thai party continues to govern in a caretaker capacity and has vowed to regain power and fulfill its agenda. They made an unsuccessful attempt to halt the voting process by asking the royal palace to dissolve parliament. This request was, however, declined by royal officials due to legal disputes regarding Pheu Thai's authority to make such a request as an interim administration.
Following the election, Pheu Thai stated its intention to return to power and continue its work for the Thai people. The party said it was prepared to be in the parliamentary opposition for the time being, with a promise to "return to finish the job for all the Thai people," according to a statement on social media.