BANGKOK. Anutin Charnvirakul was elected prime minister of Thailand on Friday after securing a decisive victory in parliament, defeating the candidate of the Shinawatra family’s once-dominant ruling party and ending a week of political uncertainty.
With strong support from the opposition, Anutin surpassed the required majority in the lower house, concluding days of negotiations and maneuvering that sidelined the Pheu Thai party, which had long been considered the most successful political force in the country.
Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and a veteran political dealmaker, has long positioned his party as a key player between rival elites. His win over Chaikasem Nitisiri marked a setback for Pheu Thai, the political base of billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin departed for Dubai late Thursday following his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s dismissal as prime minister last week by court order.
Anutin received 63% of the parliamentary vote, more than double Chaikasem’s tally. “I will work my hardest, every day, no holidays, because there is not a lot of time. We have to ease problems quickly,” he told reporters after his election.
The political shift was accelerated by Anutin’s withdrawal from the ruling coalition in June, which left the government weakened amid protests and declining popularity. His victory was secured through an agreement with the progressive People’s Party, the largest bloc in parliament, in which he pledged to hold a referendum on constitutional amendments and call new elections within four months.
Anutin, 58, previously served as deputy prime minister, interior minister, and health minister, playing a key role in Thailand’s COVID-19 response. A staunch royalist, he is also known for leading the move to decriminalize cannabis, sparking a surge in marijuana businesses across the country.
He will head a minority government without the participation of the People’s Party, facing challenges including sluggish economic growth, high household debt, and weak consumer spending.
Pheu Thai, despite its loss, vowed to return to power. “We will return to finish the job for all the Thai people,” the party said.
Meanwhile, Thaksin, who previously returned to Thailand in 2023 to serve an eight-year sentence for abuse of power before receiving a royal pardon and parole, confirmed in a post on X that he was in Dubai for medical reasons but would return by September 8 to face a pending Supreme Court ruling.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
