Anutin Charnvirakul, a prominent construction tycoon and political conservative, has been chosen as Thailand’s next prime minister, capping a week of extraordinary political upheaval that saw the removal of his predecessor and the sudden flight of divisive billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra.
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Anutin, 58, secured a clear majority in Friday’s parliamentary vote, surpassing the 247-vote threshold required for victory in the lower house.
His triumph was bolstered by the unexpected support of the opposition People’s Party, which holds the largest bloc of seats in parliament. The party threw its weight behind Anutin after extracting a commitment that he would call a snap general election within months.
A three-time cabinet minister best known as the architect of Thailand’s cannabis decriminalisation policy, Anutin defeated Chaikasem Nitisiri of the Pheu Thai party. Pheu Thai will now relinquish power after a tumultuous two-year tenure marred by internal strife and mounting public frustration.
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How Thailand’s political dynasty shaped the country for the last 25 years
How Thailand’s political dynasty shaped the country for the last 25 years
Anutin’s ascent comes in the wake of a court ruling last Friday that removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, from the prime minister’s office for an ethics violation. The court’s decision not only created a leadership vacuum but also dealt a significant blow to the influence of the Shinawatra political dynasty, which has dominated Thai politics for much of the past two decades.
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