Anutin receives MP certification, calls for patience on cabinet formation

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, received his party-list MP certification today at the Election Commission of Thailand headquarters before going to Parliament to report himself as a new MP.

After signing for the certificate, Anutin tapped the MP certification document on his head three times as an auspicious gesture, saying that he wanted to show that the position of an MP is an honourable one.

Meanwhile, other Bhumjaithai MPs, both constituency and party-list members, boarded six electric buses to Parliament to report themselves as MPs.

The buses were painted blue, the colour of the Bhumjaithai Party, and the LED signs on the buses were changed from the bus route numbers to read “Bhumjaithai”.

In the 2026 Thai general election on February 8, Anutin’s party won a landslide victory with a total of 292 MPs, allowing it to be at the core of forming the next coalition government.

Anutin recently said that cabinet formation would only proceed after the Election Commission certifies all MPs, and today he asked for patience, saying everything would proceed step by step and according to process.

Anutin declined to say whether cabinet positions had already been filled.

The party will hold a meeting this weekend so its MPs can get acquainted and to discuss policies and platforms for the country’s administration.

Asked about pressing issues, including the Middle East crisis, Anutin urged people not to add to tensions, saying problems should be addressed with wisdom and calm.

He added that he wants to work on all issues and that the caretaker government must continue to perform its duties to the fullest.

He noted, however, that the unrest in the Middle East is affecting Thailand and that measures must be taken to ensure Thai citizens are impacted as little as possible.