Thai Parliament elects business tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul as new PM

He was picked up for the post just days after another leader was removed from the position, creating a political crisis in the country.

Recently, Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from the position by the constitutional court for committing an ethical violation in her handling of the border conflict with Cambodia.

Anutin's Bhumjaithai party ended the alliance with the Shinawatras' Pheu Thai and then secured enough support to clinch the premiership.

Anutin Charnvirakul secured over 247 votes from MPs to become the new prime minister, defeating Chaikasem Nitisiri, the Pheu Thai Party’s nominee, reported The Bangkok Post.

Charnvirakul's victory is also acting as a blow to Shinawatra family that has been dominating the political paradigm of Thailand since 2001.

In his long political career,   Anutin Charnvirakul had previously served as the Deputy Prime Minister when his Bhumjaithai Party was the second-largest member of the ruling coalition.

He had also managed his family's construction business before joining politics.

In the past, he had held key cabinet positions, which included the Interior Minister and Health Ministry.

According to reports, during his tenure as Health Minister, he had amended the Narcotics Law to remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances in 2022.

He was also serving as the country's health minister during the COVID-19 crisis.