Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, was reelected as Thailand's prime minister after securing a simple majority in a parliamentary vote on Thursday.

Anutin received 293 votes, more than half of the 500-member House of Representatives, enabling him to continue in the role that he first took up last September. He defeated Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party, who was nominated by his party for the top post.

Once formally appointed by Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Anutin must deliver his policy statement to parliament, officially beginning his new stint as prime minister.

Anutin, 59, had served as deputy prime minister in several administrations and was elected as Thailand's prime minister on Sept 5, following the Thai Constitutional Court's ruling to dismiss former premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over an ethics violation.

In December last year, Anutin announced the dissolution of the House to pave the way for a general election to choose new members of parliament, vowing to return power to the people.

In the Feb 8 general election, his Bhumjaithai Party took 191 seats in the 500-member lower chamber, followed by the People's Party with 120 and Pheu Thai with 74. The Bhumjaithai Party later announced it would form a new government with Pheu Thai and nine smaller parties.

Amid the current global challenges and escalating regional tensions in the Middle East, the Thai government is facing several issues, including low economic growth, oil shortages, surging prices of goods, and setbacks in the tourism sector, said Somkiat Tangkitvanich, president of the Thailand Development Research Institute.

He estimated that the formation of the new government may delay the fiscal 2027 budget bill by about a month. The expert advised against large, long-term projects that are difficult to complete, emphasizing the need for fiscal prudence.

Family ties

Anutin was born into a Thai-Chinese family and bears the Chinese name Chen Xiyao. Of Cantonese descent, Anutin speaks Mandarin fluently. At this year's Chinese New Year Reception held by the Chinese embassy in Thailand, he delivered an enthusiastic speech in Chinese, which went viral on social media platforms.

On Feb 24, Anutin and his wife Thanon Nirami visited the Chinese embassy, together with Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun, former minister of social development and human security Varawut Silpa-archa, and others.

During the visit, he expressed appreciation for China's role as a strong supporter and key market for high-quality Thai agricultural products, along with its investment in the Southeast Asian nation and promotion of tourism, saying that it fully demonstrates the special friendship between the two sides and that "Thailand and China are as close as one family".

He also noted that Thailand is willing to strengthen comprehensive strategic cooperation with China, further promote a China-Thailand community with a shared future, and jointly address external risks and challenges.

According to the National News Bureau of Thailand, infrastructure development, including a high-speed rail project, was also mentioned as part of ongoing economic cooperation between the two countries. In addition, both sides reaffirmed plans to deepen economic ties, with China expressing readiness to remain a major destination for Thai exports amid global trade uncertainty.