Anutin sworn in as Thailand’s 32nd prime minister

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took the oath of allegiance before a portrait of HM the King at the Bhumjaithai party head office today, after he received the Royal Command officially appointing him as Thailand’s 32nd prime minister.

Senior members of the three main coalition parties, Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath, the prime minister’s family, including his parents, wife and children were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

The Royal Command was hand-carried to the head office by Sirote Paetphan, secretary- general of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, who read it in front of the prime minister and the other guests.

Anutin received 293 House votes, including one vote from a renegade People’s party MP, in the election of the prime minister yesterday, beating his rival, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s party, who received 119 votes.

Meanwhile 86 MPs, mostly from the Democrat and Kla Tham parties, abstained.

Before the ceremony, the prime minister nodded his head when asked by a reporter whether he had submitted the Cabinet list to the Office of the Secretary-General of the Cabinet for a thorough check, to ensure that the nominees meet the legal requirements.

Then he said there are rules to be followed and there are rulings from the Constitutional Court which are legally binding on all organisations.

As far as the Bhumjaithai party’s quota of Cabinet ministers is concerned, he said that there is no problem, adding that, if there is a problem with any nominated minister from the other parties, the nomination will be returned to the relevant party for review.