— Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, secured 311 votes in Thailand’s House of Representatives in a parliamentary ballot on Friday in Bangkok, winning the majority needed to become the country’s next prime minister. A royal appointment is expected in the coming days.
Key takeaways
- Anutin received 311 votes, above the 247-vote threshold from 492 active House members.
- The vote follows the court-ordered removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister last week for ethics violations related to a phone call with Cambodia’s Senate president.
- Pheu Thai’s candidate, Chaikasem Nitisiri, won 152 votes; Pheu Thai unsuccessfully sought to dissolve Parliament days earlier.
- Anutin’s Bhumjaithai left the previous coalition after the phone-call controversy, and the new government may lack a stable majority.
- The People’s Party insists on a referendum on a new constitution and will remain in opposition.
Verified facts
The parliamentary count shown live on television recorded 311 votes for Anutin out of 492 active House members; the simple majority threshold was 247 votes. After the tally was announced, lawmakers applauded and supporters greeted Anutin on the chamber floor. He is expected to assume office formally after receiving the king’s endorsement.
| Candidate | Votes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anutin Charnvirakul (Bhumjaithai) | 311 | Won majority in House |
| Chaikasem Nitisiri (Pheu Thai) | 152 | Pheu Thai’s nominated candidate |
| Active House members | 492 | Majority required: 247 |
Anutin, 58, has served in cabinets under both Pheu Thai and the earlier elected government aligned with former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. He resigned from Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s cabinet and withdrew Bhumjaithai from her coalition after a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s Hun Sen sparked public outrage and a subsequent court ruling that removed her from office.
The phone-call controversy precipitated a lethal five-day armed clash in July, according to reports. The Constitutional Court’s removal of Paetongtarn came last week; she had served about a year after replacing Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed by the court earlier this year.
Context & impact
Thailand’s political scene has been volatile since the 2023 election. Move Forward (now the People’s Party) won the most seats but was blocked from forming a government when senators—many appointed under a previous military administration—voted against its candidate. The Senate no longer participates in the prime ministerial vote, but its earlier role shaped the post-election balance of power.
Bhumjaithai’s role as a swing partner has grown decisive. The party is best known for pushing cannabis decriminalization and for Anutin’s prominent tenure as health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic—an era that brought both public visibility and criticism over vaccine procurement delays.
The People’s Party says it will stay in opposition and has conditioned support on a pledge to hold a referendum on drafting a new constitution via an elected constituent assembly. If that pledge is not met, the new government could face persistent parliamentary challenges and street protests.
- Short-term: Anutin can form a cabinet and govern if the king formalizes the appointment.
- Medium-term: A minority or narrowly supported government may struggle to pass major reforms.
- Long-term: Calls for constitutional change and reform of appointed institutions may intensify political polarization.
“I thank the House for their trust and I will form a government that seeks stability and reconciliation,”
Anutin Charnvirakul
“We will remain in opposition while pressing for a referendum on a new constitution,”
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, People’s Party leader
Unconfirmed
- Motives for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s travel to Dubai—officially described as a medical checkup—have been the subject of speculation but are not confirmed.
- Whether the new government will win stable parliamentary support beyond the initial vote or face immediate no-confidence moves remains uncertain.
Bottom line
Anutin’s decisive 311-vote tally makes him Thailand’s next prime minister in the short term, but the political turbulence that followed the removal of two successive prime ministers this year suggests governing challenges ahead. Key issues to watch include whether the new administration can secure broader legislative backing, the People’s Party demand for a constitutional referendum, and how the king’s formal appointment shapes public acceptance.