BANGKOK, MAR 19: Thailand’s lawmakers gathered in Bangkok today to pick a new prime minister, over a month after an election that swung the nation toward conservatism—current PM Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai Party (191 seats) looks set to hold on with a coalition majority, including Pheu Thai’s 74 seats, beating the simple majority needed in the 500-member house.
The progressive People’s Party (120 seats) sits out the government but plans a symbolic rival nomination, while Anutin—elevated last September after ethics woes ousted Paetongtarn Shinawatra—boosted his image defending borders in last year’s Thailand-Cambodia clashes, dissolving parliament early to dodge a no-confidence hit.
Once elected, he’ll get the king’s nod soon after, with a cabinet to follow amid tough times: Middle East war jacking up oil prices and sparking shortages, plus a court ruling looming on whether barcodes on ballots broke anonymity laws and could nix the election results.
