BANGKOK: Thailand's largest opposition party gave Anutin Charnvirakul (pic) its crucial backing on Wednesday (Sept 3) to serve as the nation's next prime minister, after the incumbent was ousted by court order last week.
The People's Party "agreed to support" the conservative tycoon, party head Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told reporters, with their 143 lawmakers likely giving him majority support in parliament.
But he said their support was conditional on parliament being dissolved for fresh elections within four months "so that power can be returned to the people as soon as possible".
Heir to a construction engineering fortune, Anutin previously served as deputy prime minister, interior minister and health minister -- in 2022 delivering on a promise to legalise recreational cannabis.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra was sacked as prime minister on Friday by Thailand's Constitutional Court after it found she had breached ethical standards during a border row with Cambodia.
Her Pheu Thai party and Anutin's conservative Bhumjaithai Party -- a former Pheu Thai ally which abandoned their coalition over the border row -- had both been courting the People's Party's support. - AFP
