What we know about Thailand’s new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

Thailand’s parliament on Friday elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the country’s new prime minister, making him the nation’s third leader since 2023.

The 58-year-old leader secured at least 273 votes in the lower house, comfortably crossing the 247 required for victory, reported Bloomberg. His rival, Chaikasem Nitisiri of the Shinawatra family-led bloc, garnered 132 votes.

Anutin, a former construction magnate and licensed pilot known for playing saxophone, was able to clinch the Thailand prime ministerial post only after gaining the support of the pro-democracy People’s Party. However, their backing came with a condition – that he commit to holding fresh elections within months.