Bangkok, Sep 05 (V7N) – Right-wing politician Anutin Charnvirakul has been elected as Thailand’s new prime minister, becoming the country’s third prime minister in two years. The 58-year-old succeeds Phatthana Shinawatra, who was removed by a court last week.

Anutin was elected on Friday, September 5, and previously served as Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister, and Health Minister. His election marks a significant shift in Thailand’s political landscape and is seen as a setback for the Shinawatra family, which has dominated Thai politics since Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister in 2001.

The former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra left Thailand for Dubai on Thursday night (September 4) for medical treatment. Thaksin announced on social media that he would return to face the court on September 9, where he faces the risk of imprisonment in an ongoing case.

The Shinawatra family’s policies have historically gained strong support among lower-income Thais, but have also created tension with Bangkok’s conservative royalist elite. Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, both former prime ministers, were ousted in military coups in 2006 and 2014, respectively.

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