Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has secured enough votes to become the country's new Prime Minister.
Anutin, born in 1966, won 311 out of 490 votes from members of the House of Representatives to become the new Prime Minister, defeating Chaikasem Nitisiri, born in 1948, the Pheu Thai Party’s nominee.
Under the Thai Constitution, a candidate must win over 50% of votes or at least 247 votes from the 492-member House of Representatives to take office. Anutin's party has promised to dissolve the parliament within four months in exchange for support from 143 members of the People’s Party.
He and his government are expected to take office in a few days after obtaining a formal appointment from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Anutin succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was dismissed by court order as Prime Minister last week after being found guilty of ethics violations over a politically compromising phone call with neighbouring Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen.
Anutin had served in the Pheu Thai-led coalition government that took power in 2023./.