Thailand Appoints Anutin Charnvirakul as Its Third Prime Minister in Two Years

Sat Oct 18 2025 19:03:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Anutin Charnvirakul has been elected as Thailand's prime minister, marking a significant shift in the nation's political landscape after the removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Anutin's ascension highlights ongoing instability and the enduring influence of power struggles within the Thai political elite.

Anutin Charnvirakul has been named as the new prime minister of Thailand, following the ousting of Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethical violations. His appointment reflects a shift in political power, overshadowing the long-standing Shinawatra family influence. While Anutin's Bhumjaithai party secured the premiership, challenges remain with considerable political instability and a mandate to call for new elections within four months.

Thailand's parliament has chosen business tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul as the country's prime minister - the third in two years, following another leader's removal from office.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, from Thailand's powerful political dynasty, was removed by the constitutional court last week over ethical violations regarding the border dispute with Cambodia.

Anutin's Bhumjaithai party distanced itself from the coalition led by the Shinawatras' Pheu Thai, mustering enough parliamentary support to secure the premiership.

However, it is uncertain whether this leadership will stabilize Thailand, a nation with a history of court interventions and military coups leading to governmental changes.

Anutin's ascendance represents a substantial setback for the Shinawatra family, which has dominated Thai politics since 2001, dating back to when Paetongtarn's father Thaksin served as PM.

On Thursday night, Thaksin's departure from the country drew intense public scrutiny via a private jet. The former premier later announced he had flown to Dubai for medical treatment, planning to return for a court hearing scheduled for September 9 that may imprison him.

Pheu Thai, which emerged strongly in the 2023 election, finds itself sidelined. It had one last candidate for PM, Chaikasem Nitisiri, who lacks public visibility and is in poor health.

Traditionally, the Shinawatras' populist policies garnered support among lower-income Thais, yet resulted in conflicts with Bangkok's elite. Thaksin and his sister Yingluck were ousted by military coups in 2006 and 2014, respectively. Paetongtarn's term was seen as a comeback for their family, but her dismissal underscores a decline in their influence.

Paetongtarn became the fifth Thai prime minister to be dismissed by the Constitutional Court—all from administrations connected to her father Thaksin. She herself took office following her predecessor's removal under similar circumstances.

As for Anutin, at 58, he is described as a seasoned politician with ambitions for the prime ministership. His Bhumjaithai party, however, controls only 69 out of 500 seats in parliament, necessitating coalitions with larger parties.

Anutin, proud of his royalist stance, faces limitations partnering with the People's Party, which opposes royalist sentiments and has faced political bans.

With Pheu Thai in turmoil post-Paetongtarn's ousting, Anutin's leadership also comes with the specter of potential return of former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, another controversial figure in Thai politics.

Through negotiations, Anutin has committed to call for elections within four months and to prioritize amendments to the military-drafted constitution. However, these compromises leave him with little room to navigate the immediate political landscape.

Anutin belongs to a politically influential family, having previously served as health minister and liberalizing Thailand's marijuana laws. Now, he must steer the nation out of its political quagmire before new elections approach.