Bangkok, Sept 5 – Anutin Charnvirakul, a seasoned political strategist and the driving force behind Thailand’s cannabis legalisation, has officially become the country’s next prime minister. But this wasn’t a sudden rise — it was a carefully calculated climb built on decades of experience, political savvy, and an eye for timing.
Just hours after a leaked phone call led to the downfall of then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra back in June, Anutin made his move. He pulled out of the ruling coalition, initiated talks with the opposition, and waited patiently. On Friday, his moment arrived — Parliament voted decisively to back him as Thailand’s new leader.
Anutin, 58, is no stranger to Thai politics. His journey began in the early 2000s with the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai party, founded by billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra. But it was his leadership of the Bhumjaithai Party that cemented his place in the country’s political landscape. Though Bhumjaithai secured just 70 out of 500 seats in the most recent election, Anutin’s cross-party appeal and steady hand kept the party close to power.
Best known internationally for spearheading Thailand’s bold move to legalise cannabis in 2022, Anutin served as health minister during the pandemic, where his firm, data-driven approach won him praise — and criticism. He wasn’t afraid to be bold, even when it ruffled feathers.
“I’m younger, I’m fresh, and I understand democratic politics,” he confidently told Reuters last year — a statement that now rings prophetic.
A Bridge Between Two Thailands
Anutin’s strength lies in his ability to straddle both sides of Thailand’s deep political divide — the conservative elite and the populist movements. His party, Bhumjaithai, draws its support from rural heartlands while maintaining close ties with royalist factions. That rare balance made him indispensable during years of shifting alliances and fragile coalitions.
Political scholar Napon Jatusripitak described Anutin as “cut from the same cloth as Thaksin Shinawatra,” yet firmly loyal to the monarchy — a combination that allows him to navigate turbulent waters without capsizing.
Thailand’s politics have often been rocked by coups, court decisions, and unrest — six elected prime ministers have been unseated in just 25 years. In this volatile arena, Anutin’s ability to maintain calm and compromise has made him a figure of unusual stability.
Built for Leadership
Anutin was born into influence. The son of a powerful businessman-politician, he attended elite schools in Bangkok and earned his engineering degree in the U.S. He joined the family’s construction business, Sino-Thai, before stepping into politics, first under Thaksin in 2004.
After a political ban and a short retreat, he returned as the leader of Bhumjaithai in 2012, steadily building the party’s base in rural Thailand. Behind the scenes, his quiet power grew — always present, never overreaching.
His recent position as interior minister in two consecutive Pheu Thai-led administrations further showed his ability to work across ideologies, securing influence over key ministries and rural development — a major source of political capital in Thailand.
Eyes on the Future
Though his rise blocked the progressive Move Forward party in 2023, Anutin now has its successor, the People’s Party, supporting his government from the outside. It’s a sign of his knack for deal-making and bringing disparate voices together — even those once seen as rivals.
“We know the People’s Party has cooperated and made sacrifices to find a solution for Thailand during a time of crisis,” Anutin said, acknowledging the alliance.
Off the political stage, Anutin has a softer side — he collects Buddhist amulets and enjoys recreational flying, sometimes volunteering his plane for emergency medical missions.
But now, he’ll be navigating turbulence of a different kind. With a slowing economy, rising tensions with Cambodia, and a deeply polarised political climate, Thailand’s new prime minister has little time to celebrate.
Still, Anutin Charnvirakul is not new to chaos — he’s been preparing for this moment for years.
