Newly minted Thai Prime Minister Anutin has energy crisis on his hands

Newly elected Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul confronts an immediate energy crisis amid rising oil prices and economic challenges. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BANGKOK – Newly elected Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul faces an immediate test in tackling Thailand’s energy crisis, as he takes office amid sluggish economic growth and rising turmoil in the Middle East that have sent oil prices soaring, said analysts.

Mr Anutin was confirmed as the country’s prime minister on March 19 after winning nearly 60 per cent of the votes in Parliament.

Analysts told The Straits Times that patience among ordinary Thais, including opposition parliamentarians, could wear thin if the country continues to face increasing economic pressures.

That was evident at the very start of the parliamentary sitting ahead of the vote. Opposition MPs launched into an almost two-hour-long vigorous exchange with coalition government MPs over the ability and integrity of Mr Anutin to govern well and resolve the country’s crises.

Mr Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who leads Thailand’s biggest opposition People’s Party, raised several concerns. This included corruption allegations involving Mr Anutin, reported irregularities over election vote-counting, border conflict with Cambodia and the energy crunch.

Dr Purawich Watanasukh, a political science lecturer at Thammasat University, told ST that there is unlikely to be any “honeymoon period” for the Anutin government.