The former construction magnate secured the top spot only with the support of the pro-democracy People’s Party, which demanded he commit to hold elections within months.
Thailand’s parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul prime minister on Friday, the nation’s third leader since 2023, in a move that may offer only a brief period of political calm.
Anutin, 58, secured at least 273 votes in the lower house, more than the 247 required for a win. His challenger Chaikasem Nitisiri, a candidate of a bloc led by the influential Shinawatra family, got 132 votes. The voting was still underway at 3.56pm in Bangkok.
