Anutin Charnvirakul officially becomes Thailand’s new prime minister on Sunday after receiving a royal endorsement, two days after Parliament voted him into the role. Thailand has been in political flux and now Anutin is the country’s third prime minister in just two years.
After the 2023 elections, the Move Forward Party – now called the People’s Party won the most seats but was blocked from power by military-appointed senators opposed to its stance on monarchy reform. Since then, two prime ministers from Pheu Thai, Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, were both removed by court rulings.
Charnvirakul takes over from Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party, she was found guilty of ethics violations linked to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen that coincided with a deadly border clash in July. The scandal forced her government to collapse, creating a political opening for Anutin.
Who is Anutin Charnvirakul?
Anutin Charnvirakul, 58, is one of Thailand’s most seasoned politicians, best known for pushing through the landmark policy that decriminalised cannabis in the country. Charnvirakul hails from a wealthy family that owns a major construction business. His family company, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction PCL, was behind several high-profile government projects, including Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Trained as an engineer, he also served as president of Sino-Thai. Charnvirakul received his early education at Assumption College in Bangkok and Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, before earning a degree in engineering from Hofstra University in 1989.
Before stepping up as prime minister, Charnvirakul served as deputy prime minister and interior minister in Paetongtarn’s Cabinet. But he resigned and pulled his party, Bhumjaithai, out of her coalition when the phone call controversy erupted. That move helped him distance himself from the scandal and reposition for leadership.
Charnvirakul received his appointment letter in a ceremony at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters in Bangkok, with senior party members dressed in white uniforms reserved for state occasions. Taking his oath, he promised to serve with “honesty and virtue” and vowed to tackle Thailand’s most pressing issues, including economic troubles, border tensions with Cambodia, natural disasters, and crime.
Charnvirakul’s win in Parliament was made possible with support from the opposition People’s Party. In return, he pledged to dissolve Parliament within four months and hold a referendum for a new, more democratic constitution.
However, the People’s Party said it will remain in opposition, leaving Anutin with the challenge of leading what may be a minority government.
A long career in politics
Charnvirakul is no stranger to Thai politics. As health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced criticism for delays in securing vaccines. His bold move to decriminalise cannabis won him both praise and criticism, with the policy now restricted mainly to medical use.
He has also faced allegations of involvement in political scandals, including collusion during Senate elections and a land dispute tied to his mentor, Newin Chidchob.