The House of Representatives voted 311 to 152 by roll call today to choose Bhumjaithai Party Leader Anutin Charnvirakul as Thailand’s 32nd prime minister, beating Chaikasem Nitisiri of the Pheu Thai party. There were 27 abstentions.
Anutin was nominated by Chaichanok Chidchob, Bhumjaithai secretary-general, while Chaikasem was nominated by Pheu Thai secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong.
Before the vote, Deputy House Speaker Chaiya Promma gave government and opposition MPs about an hour to debate the qualifications of the two prime ministerial candidates.
During the debate, People’s party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told the House that his party could not support Chaikasem, because the Pheu Thai party had failed to convince him of its actual principles.
He explained that his party voted for Anutin to enable him to dissolve the House within four months of his formal policy statement, under an agreement which includes preparing for the drafting of a new Constitution, but without the intention for him to administer the country.
“This is the best opportunity for Thailand to advance towards writing a new charter,” said Natthaphong, adding that the country is now heading towards an early general election.
He offered his assurance that the People’s party will continue to perform its duty in opposition and will strengthen it.
The votes for Anutin came from his own Bhumjaithai party (68) and its allies, Kla Tham party (31), Palang Pracharath party (17), a rebel faction of United Thai Nation party (16), renegades from Pheu Thai party (8), Thai Sarng Thai party (3) and defectors from Democrat party (3), while the People’s party supplied 143 votes.
The Pheu Thai-led coalition had about 200 votes from United Thai Nation, Democrat, Prachachart, Chart Thai Pattana, Pheu Thai and a few smaller parties.
Most of the Democrat party MPs decided to abstain, after they met at parliament this morning.
Anutin has a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Hofstra University in the United States.
