Anutin Charnvirakul Becomes Thailand’s New PM
Thailand has a new prime minister—again. Anutin Charnvirakul, the former health minister best known for pushing cannabis legalization, was elected after easily beating Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri in parliament. He takes over from Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was dismissed by the constitutional court over ethics violations, becoming the sixth Shinawatra-backed leader removed from power by legal or military means.
Anutin’s win comes after his Bhumjaithai party split from Pheu Thai and struck a deal with the opposition People’s Party, Thailand’s largest political force. In exchange for their backing, Anutin agreed to hold a new election within four months and begin steps to amend the military-written constitution. Despite their support, the People’s Party won’t join his government, making it a minority administration with limited room to maneuver.
The rapid shift in power is another blow to the once-dominant Shinawatra family. Paetongtarn’s leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen drew fire for undermining Thai sovereignty and ultimately led to her removal. Meanwhile, her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, left for Dubai again amid fresh legal trouble, though he claims he’ll return by September 8th for a court hearing that could land him back in jail.
Anutin, 58, enters office in a politically volatile and economically fragile moment. Household debt is high, consumption is weak, and his time is short. “I will work my hardest, every day, no holidays, because there is not a lot of time,” he said after the vote. Whether he can steer Thailand out of its cycle of instability remains to be seen—but the clock is already ticking.
