Thailand: Anutin Charnvirakul elected Prime Minister; surpasses Chaikasem Nitisiri
Politician secures majority vote following past anti-casino position.
Key points:
– Anutin Charnvirakul has secured a parliamentary majority, surpassing Chaikasem Nitisiri of the Pheu Thai party
– His election comes after his previous opposition to casino development
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has been elected Prime Minister of Thailand after winning a majority in a parliamentary vote.
Charnvirakul obtained more than 63% of the vote, more than double the tally of Chaikasem Nitisiri. The result represents a loss for the Pheu Thai party, historically linked to the Shinawatra family.
The vote followed days of political deadlock after the collapse of Thailand’s coalition Government. Anutin emerged as a central figure by positioning his party between competing groups and building support across parliament.
Despite his previous opposition to casino development, Charnvirakul’s position on the casino bill remains a subject of political scrutiny. His leadership and the Bhumjaithai Party’s stance on this issue continue to influence Thailand’s political landscape.
Good to know: Charnvirakul is a long-standing political mediator who previously opposed casino development
Charnvirakul’s success was supported by an agreement with the opposition People’s Party, currently the largest bloc in parliament. As part of the deal, he pledged to hold a referendum on constitutional reform and call a general election within four months.
Charnvirakul stated: “I will work my hardest, every day, no holidays, because there is not a lot of time. We have to ease problems quickly.”
As Deputy Prime Minister, Charnvirakul stated that entertainment complex policies must comply with legal and moral standards and support the economy. He also noted that differing views within the Bhumjaithai Party on casino legalisation did not represent the official party position.
Charnvirakul also faced calls from Chief Government Whip Wisut Chainarun to present a consistent party position on the proposed entertainment complex initiative.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
