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Anutin Charnvirakul Elected Thailand PM with 293 Votes, Returns to Power

Thailand's House of Representatives has elected Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister with 293 votes. His victory follows the February general election where his Bhumjaithai Party won 191 seats, leading a large 16-party coalition. Anutin returns to office amidst ongoing border clashes with Cambodia, a situation analysts say could bolster his nationalist standing. He is best known for his previous role in decriminalizing cannabis in Thailand.

Key Points: Thailand Elects Anutin Charnvirakul as New Prime Minister

  • Won with 293 parliamentary votes
  • Leads 16-party coalition
  • First PM re-elected in 20 years
  • Faces ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border conflict
2 min read

Anutin Charnvirakul elected as Thailand's new PM

Anutin Charnvirakul wins PM vote with 293 votes. His coalition faces immediate challenges from border conflicts and economic issues.

"an opportunity to not only burnish his nationalist credentials - Bangkok Post"

Bangkok, March 19

Thailand's House of Representatives on Thursday elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the country's new Prime Minister with 293 votes, state media reported.

The 59-year old Anutin was elected the country's prime minister in a parliamentary vote following the February 8 general election.

His opponent, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party, received 119 votes, while 86 members abstained, Thai news agency (TNA) MCOT said.

A total of 86 lawmakers abstained in the election.

Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party had won 191 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, trouncing the progressive People's Party (which won 120 seats) and then cobbled together a coalition of 16 parties -- including the populist Pheu Thai -- that together hold 292 seats.

As per the Bangkok Post, Anutin, who has become the first Thai premier to be voted back to office in two decades, can expect a very brief honeymoon as a host of problems beset Thailand

Best known for championing decriminalisation of cannabis in 2022, he headed a minority government after the court-ordered ouster of Paetongtarn Shinawatra in August 2025 after her phone call with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen was leaked.

The Bangkok Post analysis said that the first term of Anutin's began six weeks after Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire to end fierce border clashes, but the fighting resumed in early December with increased intensity, stretching the entire length of the land border between the neighbours.

The conflict, the news outlet said, afforded Anutin "an opportunity to not only burnish his nationalist credentials, but also a window to seek a decisive mandate with a parliamentary majority."

His father, Chavarat Charnvirakul, founded the Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Company, which initially worked on projects that included fencing US military sites in Thailand but eventually grew into a major construction firm.

Anutin joined politics when he entered an administration led by billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra in 2004. After Thaksin's populist Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved by a court order in 2007, Anutin was also banned for five-years from politics. He returned in 2012 as the leader of the Bhumjaithai party.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The article mentions he was banned from politics for five years. It's a reminder that political instability and judicial interventions are challenges in many democracies, not just in our neighbourhood. Hope Thailand finds lasting stability now. 🤞
P
Priya S
First PM to be voted back in 20 years! That's quite an achievement in Thai politics. But forming a coalition of 16 parties sounds like a nightmare to manage. Reminds me of our own coalition governments. Wishing him the best for Thailand's sake.
R
Rohit P
The border clashes with Cambodia are worrying. As an Indian, I know how sensitive border issues can be. Hope the new government prioritises dialogue and peace. A stable Southeast Asia is good for trade and regional security.
M
Michael C
With respect, the article suggests he used the border conflict to gain a "decisive mandate." If true, that's a concerning strategy. Leaders should seek mandates based on development agendas, not by capitalising on conflicts. Thailand deserves better.
K
Kavya N
His father's company built fences for US military sites? Interesting background. Hope his engineering and construction lineage helps him 'build' a stronger, more united Thailand. The country has so much potential! 🇹🇭

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