Who is Thailand's new PM Anutin Charnivirakul? DW 09/08/2025

"Anutin, 58, is heir to Sino-Thai, one of Thailand's largest construction firms, where he served as president before entering politics in the 1990s. His political career has spanned nearly 30 years. Anutin has served in a variety of high-profile positions, including as deputy prime minister for the past six years, health minister from 2019 to 2023, and then as interior minister until this year. His time as health minister coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic."

"It was also in that role that he led the campaign to legalize marijuana in Thailand, which became the first country in Asia to fully decriminalize cannabis in 2022. While that policy led him to be dubbed in the media as the "cannabis king," Anutin is not known for liberal policies, but rather as a staunch royalist and leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai Party."

"The People's Party agreed to support Anutin's prime ministerial bid as long as he dissolves parliament within four months and holds new elections. They backed Anutin on the condition that his premiership is transitional, short-term and leads to constitutional reform. But the party has not joined Anutin's government, instead betting on a strong result at the polls whenever elections are called."

Anutin Charnivirakul was elected prime minister after a special parliamentary session, bringing nearly 30 years of political experience. He is heir to Sino-Thai and served as company president before entering politics. He has held deputy prime minister, health minister (2019–2023), and interior minister roles, and led Thailand's campaign to legalize marijuana during the COVID-19 era, resulting in full decriminalization in 2022. He leads the conservative Bhumjaithai Party and is a staunch royalist. The opposition People's Party supported his bid conditionally, demanding dissolution of parliament within four months and new elections without joining the government.

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