Thailand: election-winning party sets priority areas for new government

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party of Thailand, which won 193 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives in the February 8 elections, said his Party will form the next government, pledging to deliver all policies and take charge of security and the economy.

In his recent post on his personal Facebook page, Anutin thanked supporters for delivering a landslide victory to the Bhumjaithai Party in the recent general election, saying he will move swiftly once the Election Commission officially certifies the results.

The Bhumjaithai Party will be responsible for national security administration through diplomatic and military measures, with priority given to safeguarding Thailand’s territory, sovereignty and public safety, he stated, adding that the Party will maintain and tighten existing border-closure policies, including building a security wall along border areas.

He also pledged to scrap the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU44) signed with Cambodia concerning overlapping maritime claims.

Anutin also said that he and caretaker Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will work closely to restore Thailand’s standing on the international stage and counter external threats.

The Bhumjaithai Party will be also sponsible for the economy to restore Thailand’s economy and lift it out of the long-standing rut it has been trapped in.

Economic management will be handled by what he described as "Team Thailand," whose core components are Anutin, caretaker Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, caretaker Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumphun, and Sihasak.