News analysis New Thai PM rises from maelstrom, while Shinawatra dynasty lies in tatters

Bhumjaithai Party's Anutin Charnvirakul is, for now, the country's third PM in two years

- Philip Wen

BANGKOK - True to form, given the transactional fluidity of contemporary Thai politics, there were twists and high intrigue up to the last moment before a parliamentary vote on Sept 5 installed Anutin Charnvirakul of the conservative Bhumjaithai Party as the country's third prime minister in two years — for now.

A key term in a deal wrangled with the progressive opposition People's Party is that in exchange for its support while his minority government rules, Mr Anutin has pledged to call a general election within the next four months, and to push for constitutional reform.

In the meantime, Mr Anutin inherits the leadership of a lacklustre economy buffeted by high household debt and Trump administration tariffs, and will seek to manage a fragile border ceasefire with neighbouring Cambodia.

Ahead of the vote taking place, the incumbent populist Pheu Thai party of sacked prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had sought to scupper proceedings by attempting to dissolve Parliament and force an election immediately.

After that move was effectively blocked by the kingdom's privy council on Sept 3, Pheu Thai thrust forward its backup candidate for the prime ministerial vote, 77-year-old Chaikasem Nitisiri, who was the party's third and only remaining eligible nominee. The previous two nominees, Ms Paetongtarn and her predecessor, Mr Srettha Thavisin, were both removed from office by the Constitutional Court.

The most dramatic turn, however, came when it became clear that the last-ditch effort to sway the People's Party vote from Mr Anutin, 58, would be unsuccessful.

The night before the vote, the Thai people were greeted with the news that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the father of Ms Paetongtarn and the patriarch of the country's most influential political family, had boarded a private jet out of Thailand.