Thailand’s new parliament yesterday elected Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, keeping him in the top office after his party routed its election rivals.
“This parliament has voted for Anutin Chanvirakul to become prime minister,” Thai House of Representatives Speaker Sophon Zaram said on the floor of the legislature, adding that the incumbent had garnered more than half of the ballots cast.
Anutin received 293 votes from newly seated lawmakers to win the role of prime minister, with his rival, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, gaining 119 and 86 representatives abstaining, Sophon said.
Photo: AFP
“I hope to remain in my position to serve the people for as long as I can,” Anutin told reporters ahead of the vote. “Those who know me understand that whenever there is a problem affecting the public, I will respond immediately to their needs.”
The Southeast Asian nation’s new government faces dealing with the fallout from the Middle East war, sluggish economic growth and lingering border tensions with Cambodia.
Anutin’s anointment comes after his Bhumjaithai Party last month had its best electoral performance ever, following two rounds of deadly border clashes with Cambodia last year.
Bhumjaithai promised to build a wall on the Cambodian frontier, keep all border crossings closed and recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers, winning the most seats of any party and putting Anutin in pole position to head the next government.
The People’s Party — which had been polling first ahead of the election, but ultimately came in second — is to lead the opposition.
Speaking to journalists before the vote, Natthaphong said that the opposition aimed to “utilize this parliamentary stage to effectively communicate with our fellow citizens.”
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