PM Anutin takes charge in Thailand as Mideast chaos pressures economy

Thailand’s new parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister on Thursday, keeping the conservative in the top office after his party routed its election rivals with a nationalist campaign.The Southeast Asian nation’s next government will have to handle the fallout from the Middle East conflict, sluggish economic growth and lingering border tensions with neighbour Cambodia.“I hope to remain in my position to serve the people for as long as I can,” Anutin told reporters ahead of the parliamentary vote on Thursday.“Those who know me understand that whenever there is a problem affecting the public, I will respond immediately to their needs.”Anutin’s pro-military and pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party had its best electoral performance ever in February after two rounds of deadly border clashes with Cambodia last year.Bhumjaithai promised to build a wall on the Cambodian frontier, keep all border crossings closed and recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers, winning the most seats of any party and putting Anutin in pole position to head the next government.