Political situation in Thailand

Thailand appoints third prime minister in two years

Businessman and politician Anutin Charnvirakul will become the new prime minister of Thailand, reports the BBC. This makes him the third prime minister in two years.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who belongs to the country's powerful political dynasty, was ousted last week after a court decision. She has been under heavy fire for how she handled the border conflict with Cambodia.

Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai party has broken with the previous Shinawatra-led coalition and now governs with the support of the country's largest party, the Thai People's Party. This applies until new elections are due to be held in four months.

The change marks a heavy blow to the powerful Shinawatra family.

Thaksin Shinawatra hastily left Thailand

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suddenly left the country and traveled to Dubai on Thursday evening, several media outlets report.

The move has led to speculation that he is trying to escape justice. In his homeland, Thaksin, 76, is awaiting a sentence that could lead to prison.

The trip comes at a politically sensitive time. Last week, his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted as Prime Minister, and Thaksin Shinawatra's own future is uncertain.

In a statement on Friday, Thaksin Shinawatra said he would return to Thailand within two days.