Bangkok, August 29, 2025 – Anutin Charnvirakul, head of the Bhumjaithai Party and former Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister, and Public Health Minister, officially declared his bid for Prime Minister at a prominent press conference this evening.
The declaration, supported by a coalition of allies, including opposition leaders and defecting MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, follows the Constitutional Court’s decision to remove Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office in a 6-3 ruling over ethical violations tied to a leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, as previously reported.
This marks the fifth judicial ousting of a Thai Prime Minister in 17 years, highlighting the judiciary’s significant influence in Thailand’s turbulent politics. Paetongtarn, the 39-year-old daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had been in office for roughly a year. The leaked call from June 15, during heightened border tensions with Cambodia, allegedly captured Paetongtarn referring to Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticizing her military’s actions, which the court ruled violated constitutional ethics under Sections 160 and 170.
The incident not only highlighted tensions between Thailand and Cambodia but also revealed weaknesses in Paetongtarn’s leadership, as her approval rating dropped sharply to 9.2% in a June National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll, down from 30.9% in March.
Anutin’s candidacy marks a significant shift for the Bhumjaithai Party, which exited the Pheu Thai-led coalition in June 2025 after the leak, citing harm to national pride. During the press conference at Bhumjaithai’s Bangkok headquarters, Anutin, aged 58, presented himself as a unifying leader capable of stabilizing the government and tackling Thailand’s economic challenges.
“We need bold leadership and national unity to overcome the current deadlock,” Anutin stated, joined by supporters from the opposition People’s Party and several Pheu Thai MPs ready to defect. Bhumjaithai, previously the second-largest coalition partner, has since allied with conservative groups, including factions from the Palang Pracharat and United Thai Nation parties, while also strategically aligning with the opposition and progressive People’s Party.
A central part of Anutin’s approach involves agreeing to terms set by the People’s Party, the progressive successor to the disbanded Move Forward Party, which commands 143 seats and is the largest parliamentary bloc. Under Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut’s leadership, the People’s Party has signaled conditional support to prevent a prolonged political stalemate.
These terms include dissolving parliament within four months of forming a new government and calling for fresh national elections to “address the persistent issues undermining our democracy,” as Natthaphong recently stated in an interview. This compromise is viewed as a strategic effort by Anutin to widen his support base, potentially securing the necessary votes in the House for confirmation.
Anutin’s political track record bolsters his candidacy. As Public Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2023, he managed vaccine rollouts, lockdowns, and the critical reopening of Thailand to international tourism in 2022, which significantly boosted the economy. However, his initial downplaying of the virus as “just a flu” sparked criticism. Additionally, he spearheaded the 2022 cannabis decriminalization, a key Bhumjaithai policy that legalized both medical and recreational use, though Pheu Thai attempted a partial reversal in 2024 due to public health concerns.
Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party, holding 141 seats, is urgently working to gather support for its third Prime Ministerial candidate, 77-year-old Chaikasem Nitisiri, a seasoned lawyer and former Attorney General who served as Justice Minister under Yingluck Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s aunt, until the 2014 coup. Having recovered from a 2023 stroke and projecting energy through social media posts of golfing, Chaikasem was a Pheu Thai nominee in the 2023 election alongside Srettha Thavisin (removed in August 2024) and Paetongtarn. Party insiders indicate Pheu Thai is relying on its remaining coalition partners—Democrat Party (25 seats), United Thai Nation (36 seats), and smaller allies like Chartthaipattana (10 seats)—to hold a fragile majority of about 243 seats. However, internal rifts and defections to Anutin’s side have undermined their stance.
Pheu Thai’s efforts are unfolding amid economic challenges, with Thailand’s GDP growth projected at only 2.7% for 2025, constrained by high household debt (exceeding 90% of GDP), weak exports, and global uncertainties. Paetongtarn’s signature 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative, meant to boost spending for 50 million citizens, has been delayed indefinitely due to budget constraints, further eroding public confidence. Other proposals, such as legalizing casinos in entertainment complexes and tightening cannabis regulations, have also stirred controversy and stalled.
A special parliamentary session to choose the next Prime Minister is scheduled for next week, likely starting September 2, in line with the 2017 Constitution’s procedural requirements.
