Thailand's parliament has chosen business tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul as the country's prime minister - the third in two years, after yet another leader was removed from office. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who belongs to Thailand's most powerful political dynasty, was removed by the constitutional court last week for ethical violations over her handling of the border dispute with Cambodia.
Anutin's Bhumjaithai party broke from the coalition led by the Shinawatras' Pheu Thai, and secured enough support in parliament to win the premiership. But the uncertainty may not be over for Thailand which has seen multiple administrations deposed by court interventions and military coups in the recent past. Anutin's rise to the premiership deals a significant blow to the Shinawatra family, which has dominated Thai politics since 2001, when Paetongtarn's father Thaksin became PM. On Thursday night, there was intense scrutiny in Thailand of a private jet carrying Thaksin out of the country. Early on Friday he posted on social media saying that he had flown to Dubai for medical treatment and that he intends to return in time for a 9 September hearing for a court case that could put him back in jail.
Anutin, 58, is a seasoned politician and dealmaker who has openly desired the top job. His Bhumjaithai party has only 69 seats in the 500-member parliament, compelling him to rely on larger parties for support. His tenure as PM begins amid political strife, where he has committed to amend the military-drafted constitution and call for elections within four months. Anutin, who is known for liberalizing marijuana laws in Thailand, now faces the challenge of steering the nation through this political crisis efficiently.
Anutin's Bhumjaithai party broke from the coalition led by the Shinawatras' Pheu Thai, and secured enough support in parliament to win the premiership. But the uncertainty may not be over for Thailand which has seen multiple administrations deposed by court interventions and military coups in the recent past. Anutin's rise to the premiership deals a significant blow to the Shinawatra family, which has dominated Thai politics since 2001, when Paetongtarn's father Thaksin became PM. On Thursday night, there was intense scrutiny in Thailand of a private jet carrying Thaksin out of the country. Early on Friday he posted on social media saying that he had flown to Dubai for medical treatment and that he intends to return in time for a 9 September hearing for a court case that could put him back in jail.
Anutin, 58, is a seasoned politician and dealmaker who has openly desired the top job. His Bhumjaithai party has only 69 seats in the 500-member parliament, compelling him to rely on larger parties for support. His tenure as PM begins amid political strife, where he has committed to amend the military-drafted constitution and call for elections within four months. Anutin, who is known for liberalizing marijuana laws in Thailand, now faces the challenge of steering the nation through this political crisis efficiently.
