The journey to the position of Thailand's 33rd Prime Minister for Anutin Charnvirakul, former 32nd Prime Minister, following the significant general election on 8 February 2026, is a critical period to watch. It is expected to take about three months before the new Prime Minister receives royal appointment, with the process divided into the following timeline steps.
The path to the new government: From the ballot box to the 33rd Prime Minister candidate.
After the general election on 8 February 2026, the next phase is the "transition period," marked by three key milestones as follows:
1. Announcement of results and reporting (February – April 2026).
By 9 April 2026: The Election Commission must officially certify the results for at least 95% of all MPs to enable Parliament to move forward.
Between 10 and 16 April 2026: The newly certified MPs will report to Parliament to prepare for their duties as representatives.
2. Prime Minister vote (April – May 2026).
After the Songkran Festival: The first parliamentary session will be convened to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, who will then submit names for royal appointment.
In May (expected): The highly anticipated event is the parliamentary vote to elect the 33rd Prime Minister.
Note: If the vote concludes in one round and the nominee secures more than half of the parliamentary votes, the name will be submitted for royal appointment immediately.
3. Cabinet formation and policy presentation (May – June 2026).
Late May: The Prime Minister will select the Cabinet (Council of Ministers) to govern the country, undergoing a rigorous vetting process expected to take about three weeks.
Early June: The new Cabinet will collaborate to formulate the government's policy agenda to drive the nation forward.
Mid-June: The government will present its policy statement to Parliament, marking the official start of its administrative duties.