Anutin Charnvirakul Elected New Thai Prime Minister, Becomes Third PM In 2 Years

<p>Anutin Charnvirakul was elected the new Prime Minister of Thailand on Friday. Thailand&rsquo;s parliament has elected Anutin Charnvirakul, the 58-year-old leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, as the country&rsquo;s next prime minister, marking a dramatic shift in the nation&rsquo;s political landscape.</p>
<p>His appointment comes just a week after Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from office when the Constitutional Court ruled she had breached ethical standards.</p>
<h2>How Anutin Rose to the Top</h2>
<p>Bhumjaithai, the second-largest party in Paetongtarn&rsquo;s ruling coalition, had been a key ally during her administration, with Anutin serving as deputy prime minister. But the alliance fractured in June following the leak of a damaging phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodian leader Hun Sen over a border dispute. That controversy triggered the case that ultimately led to her dismissal.</p>
<p>Securing his path to leadership, Anutin struck a deal with the opposition People&rsquo;s Party, which controls nearly one-third of the lower house. The party pledged its support on the condition that parliament will be dissolved within four months. Despite backing Anutin&rsquo;s bid, it will remain outside the new government.</p>
<p>In total, Anutin said he had the support of seven parties and groups holding 146 seats, alongside the People&rsquo;s Party&rsquo;s 143 seats, giving him 289 backers in parliament, well above the 247 votes required.</p>
<h2>Who Is Anutin Charnvirakul?</h2>
<p>Anutin&rsquo;s political journey began with Thai Rak Thai, the party founded by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn&rsquo;s father. He first entered government in 2004 as deputy health minister, later taking on the commerce portfolio, before returning to the health ministry in 2005.</p>
<p>His career was briefly derailed in 2007 when Thai Rak Thai was dissolved, leading to a five-year ban from politics. He returned in 2012 as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, which has a strong base in Thailand&rsquo;s northeast and secured 70 seats in the 2023 election.</p>
<p>As health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anutin oversaw lockdowns, vaccine rollouts and the eventual reopening of Thailand to foreign tourism, a lifeline for the economy. He also made headlines for championing cannabis liberalisation, famously wearing a shirt emblazoned with marijuana leaves while casting his vote in 2023. The move spurred a boom in cannabis shops but angered conservatives, prompting efforts by the Pheu Thai Party to roll back recreational use.</p>
<p>In 2023, he was appointed interior minister in the Pheu Thai-led government, further cementing his influence. His ties to the monarchy were underscored earlier this year when he accompanied King Maha Vajiralongkorn on a four-day visit to Bhutan.</p>
<h2>A Political Dynasty and Business Legacy</h2>
<p>Known by his nickname Noo, meaning &ldquo;mouse&rdquo; in Thai, Anutin hails from a powerful political family. His father, Chavarat Charnvirakul, once served as caretaker prime minister.</p>
<p>He is also heir to Stecon Group, his family&rsquo;s construction empire, which built Thailand&rsquo;s parliament buildings. A graduate in industrial engineering from Hofstra University in New York, Anutin maintains close ties with Thailand&rsquo;s business elite and influential figures such as political power broker Newin Chidchob.</p>