BANGKOK – A new chapter in Thailand’s national governance officially began this week, as the country’s freshly formed coalition government, headed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, completed its formal swearing-in ceremony on Monday evening. The inauguration followed a royal endorsement granted to the new administration one week prior, clearing the final ceremonial hurdle for the incoming leadership.
The 35-member cabinet took part in time-honored constitutional traditions, gathering at Bangkok’s Dusit Palace to recite the official oath of allegiance during an audience with King Maha Vajiralongkorn. In addition to Prime Minister Anutin, all seven deputy prime ministers, alongside full cabinet ministers and their respective deputies, were in attendance for the historic ceremony.
Shortly after the formal inauguration concluded at the royal palace, Anutin traveled to Thailand’s government house to lead the first extraordinary cabinet meeting of the new administration. In the coming days, the prime minister is scheduled to deliver his administration’s official policy statement to the national parliament. This address marks the last procedural requirement before the new government can fully take up its governing duties and begin implementing its policy agenda.
Anutin, the 59-year-old leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, secured a second term as prime minister of the Southeast Asian nation after winning a parliamentary confidence vote held in March. His victory cleared the way for negotiations to form the ruling coalition that has now officially taken office.