Thailand’s considerably controversial health minister, Anutin Charvirakul, says he’s prepared to lead the country and turn into the next PM. According to an ASEAN NOW report, Anutin was addressing a gathering of his Bhumjaithai Party within the northeastern metropolis of Nakhon Ratchasima, also called Korat.
His feedback have been picked up by the Thai media, with Sanook posting a photo of him with a caption indicating that he’s now a major ministerial candidate. He has some help too, with Transport Minister Salsayam Chidchob saying he’d back him. However, Anutin was careful to point out that he still fully helps the current PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and would only contemplate taking on when the PM is prepared to step down.
The Covid-19 pandemic has put Anutin within the spotlight, and never only with Thai citizens. He got here to the eye of international residents and a few tourists through the early days of the pandemic, when he berated “dirty farang” for not accepting the face masks he was handing out as part of a PR stunt at a Bangkok station. He then went so far as to counsel that foreigners ought to be kicked overseas. Rightly or wrongly, many blame his comments for a disturbing wave of xenophobia that emerged shortly after.
Last week, Anutin hit the headlines again when he declared that the pandemic was no match for Thailand and the healthcare staff he’s in charge of. Addressing an occasion within the north-eastern province of Loei, he described Covid-19 as “inferior” when compared to his ministry. Easy points out that he’s also survived a number of doubtlessly politically damaging incidents when he was caught not wearing a facemask..g