Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s House of Representatives on March 19 elected Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, as Prime Minister.
The parliamentary session to choose the country’s next head of government began at 10:00 the same day. Two candidates were nominated, namely caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party.
The results showed that Anutin secured 293 votes, while his rival received 119 votes, with 86 abstentions. The outcome means Anutin was re-elected as Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister.
Anutin entered politics in 1996 as an adviser to then Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn. He served as Deputy Minister of Public Health in 2004 and 2005, and Deputy Minister of Commerce in 2004. He was later banned from political activities for five years due to his role as an executive member of the Thai Rak Thai Party. After the ban was lifted in 2012, he joined the Bhumjaithai Party, and was subsequently elected party leader, succeeding his father Chavalit Charnvirakul.
On September 19, 2025, Anutin was elected Prime Minister after his predecessor Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from office by the Constitutional Court for serious ethical violations related to an audio recording her conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
In the general election held on February 8, Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party won a commanding 192 seats, far surpassing its rivals - the People’s Party with 120 seats and the Pheu Thai Party with 74 seats.
According to the procedure, House Speaker Sophon Saram will submit Anutin’s appointment for royal endorsement. The process of forming a new government will officially begin, including the selection of cabinet members and verification of their qualifications before their names are submitted to the King for approval.
After receiving royal endorsement, the new cabinet must present its policy statement before parliament before officially taking office. Under Article 162 of the Constitution, the cabinet is required to deliver its policy address within 15 days since assuming office./.
