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Thai parliament elects Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 7:11 GMT by Al Jazeera English
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Thailand’s Parliament Names Anutin Charnvirakul Prime Minister – A Turning Point for Bangkok’s Politics

In a decisive move that could reshape Thailand’s political landscape, the country’s House of Representatives on Thursday passed a motion to appoint former finance minister Anutin Charnvirakul as the new Prime Minister. The vote, which came after a tumultuous general election and a month‑long coalition negotiation, marked the first time the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has taken the reins of government since the 2014 coup that ushered the country into a quasi‑military‑dominated era.

The Road to Power

The 2025 general election, held on 15 May, was one of the most closely watched in recent Thai history. The PPRP, led by Anutin’s ally Sanjaya Wongsawat, managed to secure a narrow plurality of 226 seats in the 500‑seat House of Representatives, a step below the 251‑seat majority required to form a stable government. In a series of negotiations that spanned the political spectrum—from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) to the nationalist Phalang Pracharath (PRP) and the smaller Thai Rak Thai—Anutin emerged as a compromise candidate, able to unite a coalition that now includes a mix of pro‑monarchy, centrist, and progressive factions.

In the final parliamentary session, the vote count was 381 for Anutin and 1 against, a clear reflection of the broad consensus that the country needed a steady hand after a period of political gridlock. The opposition’s lone “no” vote was cast by a single MFP MP, who cited concerns over the government’s commitment to judicial reform and freedom of expression.

Anutin Charnvirakul: A Brief Profile

Anutin is a seasoned politician and a key figure in Thailand’s economic policy circles. Born in 1963 in Rayong Province, he earned a degree in economics from the University of Texas and has held several high‑profile government posts, most notably as Minister of Finance from 2011 to 2019 under Prime Minister Prayuth Chan‑ocha. During that tenure, Anutin was credited with stabilising Thailand’s public debt and steering the economy through the 2015‑2018 global downturn, although his policies were not without criticism—particularly regarding austerity measures and the handling of the 2018 inflation surge.

A graduate of the Institute for Public Policy and Development (IPPD) in Bangkok, Anutin is known for his technocratic approach to governance. His policy agenda, as outlined in the parliament’s statement, focuses on fiscal responsibility, investment in infrastructure, and a gradual shift toward a more diversified economy that includes digital and green sectors.

Key Policy Directions

1. Economic Stability and Growth

Anutin’s first speech in the House emphasized the need for a “balanced budget” and the continuation of the “investment‑friendly” policies that saw Thailand attract significant foreign direct investment in the previous decade. He pledged to maintain a low inflation rate, which the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has pegged at 2–3% for the next five years. In addition, Anutin hinted at revisiting the “Thailand 4.0” initiative—an industrial strategy that promotes high‑tech manufacturing and digital services—to better align with the country’s post‑COVID recovery plans.

2. Infrastructure and Connectivity

Under his premiership, the government plans to accelerate the “Bangkok Expressway” and “High‑Speed Rail” projects that connect the capital with major cities in the northeast and the western provinces. This includes a $2.5 billion loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank, a partnership highlighted by the ADB’s Vice‑President for Southeast Asia, who applauded Thailand’s “commitment to inclusive growth.”

3. Social Reform and Democratic Accountability

Perhaps most noteworthy is Anutin’s pledge to work with the opposition on judicial reform. He acknowledged past concerns about the “independence of the judiciary” and announced the establishment of a bipartisan commission tasked with reviewing case backlogs and strengthening the rule of law. This move comes amid increasing pressure from civil‑society groups, who have been vocal about the lack of transparency in the country’s justice system.

Political Reactions

Supportive Voice: The Palang Pracharath leader, Chalit Sutham, hailed Anutin’s election as “a new chapter for Thailand, where expertise meets responsibility.” He pointed to Anutin’s record as Finance Minister and said it would bring “credible economic stewardship” to the country.

Opposition Skepticism: MFP’s Pattana Suksa called the outcome “a sign of compromise,” but warned that “without clear commitments to democratic principles, this coalition may struggle to pass substantive reforms.” She also demanded more concrete assurances on free speech and the protection of dissenting voices.

Royal Perspective: While the monarchy traditionally remains politically neutral, an official statement from the Royal Secretariat congratulated the new government and urged the House to “serve the interests of the nation and its people, in harmony with the Constitution.”

International Context

Anutin’s appointment has drawn attention from foreign governments and international organizations. The United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (E‑Asia) issued a brief note welcoming the new government and noting that “stable political leadership is essential for the region’s economic resilience.” Meanwhile, the World Bank is expected to review Thailand’s credit rating, which has been “stable” in recent years but faces pressure from rising inflation and global supply‑chain disruptions.

What Lies Ahead?

With the coalition in place, Anutin Charnvirakul faces a tight schedule. His first priority will be to secure a confidence vote from the entire House—an almost ceremonial but symbolically crucial step to legitimize his mandate. He must also navigate a complex policy landscape: managing an economy that is still recovering from the pandemic, addressing long‑standing rural‑urban disparities, and keeping an eye on geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.

In the months ahead, the world will watch whether Anutin’s technocratic background can translate into tangible economic gains for Thailand’s diverse population, and whether his government will deliver on its promises to strengthen democratic institutions while maintaining the delicate balance between political factions.

Sources:

• Al Jazeera News coverage of the Thai Parliament’s vote.
• Statements from the House of Representatives, Palang Pracharath Party, and Move Forward Party.
• Reports from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific.