BANGKOK, THAILAND – Parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul as Thailand’s new prime minister with 293 votes, clearing the way for a government led by the Bhumjaithai Party.
Clear majority in roll-call vote
In a roll-call vote in the House of Representatives, Anutin Charnvirakul received 293 votes, while Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party secured 119. A further 86 members abstained, with 498 lawmakers present in a chamber holding 499 seats.
The numbers reflected the strength of the coalition backing Bhumjaithai, which had signalled support for Anutin ahead of the session. Natthaphong’s support remained well short of the governing bloc’s combined tally.
Next step: royal endorsement
Following the vote, House Speaker Sophon Zaram was due to submit Anutin’s name to His Majesty the King for confirmation by royal command. Only after the royal endorsement could the formal process of forming a government begin.
That process included drawing up a cabinet list, vetting the qualifications of proposed ministers and securing royal countersignature. These steps were required before the new administration could be considered fully constituted.
Timeline for cabinet and policy statement
Once the cabinet was approved, the new government was obliged to deliver its policy statement to parliament within 15 days. This address would set out the main priorities and programmes of the incoming administration.
Only after the policy speech would the cabinet officially assume administrative duties. Until then, the existing caretaker structures were expected to remain in place.
Debate, procedure and the opposition’s role
The general debate concluded shortly before 12:15 p.m., after which preparations began for the open vote. Lawmakers were called in sequence according to their identification numbers.
Speaking time during the debate was divided evenly between government and opposition benches, with roughly 70 minutes allocated to each side. The arrangement aimed to give both blocs equal opportunity to present their positions.
Natthaphong’s candidacy seen as symbolic
The People’s Party put forward its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut as a rival candidate, with deputy leader Rangsiman Rome formally nominating him. Inside parliament, this move was viewed as a demonstrative act by the second-largest force rather than a realistic bid for power.
Natthaphong also appeared before the media ahead of the sitting. However, the coalition assembled around Bhumjaithai meant that the numerical advantage lay clearly with Anutin from the outset.
Heckling and accusations as Speaker intervenes
Rangsiman Rome drew audible disapproval from Bhumjaithai MPs when he questioned Anutin’s honesty and raised what he called a “suspicious” situation regarding fuel supplies at petrol stations under the current caretaker government. He also pointed to changes in district chief posts before the election and the role of the Interior Ministry in organising the vote.
In response, Sophon Zaram reminded members that the sitting was not a no-confidence debate. The Speaker’s intervention was aimed at curbing escalating accusations and keeping the discussion within the agreed framework.
Democrats abstain, citing investigations
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party could not back Anutin, arguing that he was among those linked to investigations into alleged electoral fraud in the 2024 Senate election. At the same time, Abhisit explained that Democrats would also withhold support from Natthaphong.
He said the National Anti-Corruption Commission saw grounds for an ethics case related to former MPs of the dissolved Move Forward Party and their support for amending the lèse-majesté provision. Because of these concerns, Democrat MPs opted to abstain rather than endorse either candidate.
Klatham opts for abstention and party discipline
Thamanat Prompow, chief adviser to the Klatham Party, announced that his party would abstain in the vote and warned its 58 MPs not to break ranks. He stressed that this stance was based on a collective decision within the party.
Thamanat said Klatham now needed to work “constructively” as an opposition force after being left outside the coalition following Bhumjaithai’s decision. The party sought to present itself as a disciplined but cooperative opposition bloc.
Pheu Thai pledges unified backing for Anutin
Julapun Amornvivat, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, confirmed on the morning of the vote that his party would give unanimous support to Anutin. He ruled out internal dissent over the choice of prime minister.
Julapun added that background checks for ministerial nominees would begin shortly. Upcoming talks within the coalition were initially focused on the allocation of portfolios, for which basic agreements were already in place.
New Speaker and another coalition piece
The session was the first to be chaired by Sophon Zaram in his new role as House Speaker. A royal command appointing the Speaker and his deputies had been read out to the full chamber before proceedings began.
In a further development, United Thai Nation joined the government side with two MPs. This followed the resignation of Pirapan Salirathavibhaga as a party-list member, allowing Atthawit Suwanphakdee to enter parliament and bolster the pro-government ranks.
Source: bangkokpost.com