Thailand Parliament Elects New Prime Minister – Anutin Wins | WPN World People News

On September 5, Thailand’s Parliament voted to elect the country’s 32nd Prime Minister. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, secured victory with 311 votes, surpassing the majority threshold and defeating his rival, Thai Party candidate Chaikasem, who received 152 votes.

Anutin, 58, comes from a prominent political and business family of Chinese-Thai heritage, with parents originally from Guangdong, China. He studied industrial engineering in the United States and entered politics at the age of 30. After the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party in 2007, he was banned from political activities for five years. He returned to politics in 2012 to lead the Bhumjaithai Party and has since been a part of several coalition governments. Known for his political adaptability, he has earned the nickname "political chameleon." He has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Public Health. One of his most notable achievements was delivering on his 2022 campaign promise to legalize cannabis.

Beyond his political and business background, Anutin is known for his unique personal traits. Nicknamed "Noo" (meaning "mouse" in Thai), he is fond of street food, enjoys playing the saxophone, and is an avid collector of Buddhist amulets. He is also a licensed pilot and once earned public praise for personally flying a small aircraft to transport organs for emergency medical procedures.

As Prime Minister, Anutin faces formidable challenges, including a sluggish economy, tightening credit, tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, and ongoing political unrest. Whether he can stabilize the political landscape and fulfill his promises within what may be a short term in office remains a focal point of public attention.