The rapid demise of two Thai prime ministers in as many years has paved the way for a third: Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the third largest party in the Thai parliament, Bhumjai Thai. Who is Anutin, and what does his appointment say about Thailand’s future political stability? Anutin took over the Bhumjai Thai Party from his father in 2014, having already followed his father to become a tycoon in the construction industry. Bhumjai Thai itself dates back to 2008 when its members – a clique within Thaksin Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai Party centred around the northeastern province of Buriram – defected from Thaksin’s government, leading to the installation of the conservative Abhisit Vejjajiva government. Mistrust between Bhumjai Thai and Thaksin has persisted since.
Who is Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul? | Lowy Institute
