Thai PM Anutin Tightens Grip on Power by Securing New Term

Anutin Charnvirakul won a parliamentary vote Thursday for a new term as Thailand’s prime minister, clearing the way for the conservative politician to form a cabinet that faces the immediate challenge of managing the fallout from the war in the Middle East.

Anutin, 59, secured 293 votes in the 500-member lower house, while his challenger, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a candidate from the opposition People’s Party, received 119 votes. About 86 lawmakers abstained from voting for either candidate.