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| Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul arrives at the parliament ahead of the vote for a new prime minister on September 5, 202.— Reuters |
Anutin Charnvirakul Confirmed as Thailand’s New Prime Minister, Ending Shinawatra Dominance
Bhumjaithai Party leader and
prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul arrives at the parliament ahead
of the vote for a new prime minister on September 5, 202.— ReutersRight-wing
Thai tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul was confirmed on Friday by parliament as the
nation’s next...
Thailand’s political landscape shifted
dramatically on Friday as Anutin Charnvirakul, a wealthy right-wing
construction tycoon and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, was confirmed
by parliament as the nation’s next prime minister. His appointment marks a
decisive break from the long-running dominance of the Shinawatra dynasty,
which has shaped Thai politics for more than two decades.
For years, the Shinawatra family has
been a central force in Thailand’s power struggles, often clashing with the
pro-monarchy and pro-military establishment that views them as a threat to the
country’s traditional order. Their Pheu Thai Party held the top office
since the 2023 elections, but recent setbacks—including a Constitutional Court
ruling that ousted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra last
week—created a sudden power vacuum.
Anutin seized the moment, quickly
building a coalition of opposition groups to block Pheu Thai from returning to
power. The patriarch of the Shinawatra clan, Thaksin Shinawatra,
departed the country hours before the vote, flying to Dubai under the pretense
of visiting friends and seeking medical treatment.
The final tally gave Anutin 311 votes out of 492 MPs, a comfortable majority that left Pheu Thai’s candidate, Chaikasem Nitisiri, far behind with just 152 votes. As Deputy House Speaker Chalad Khamchuang announced the result, the chamber erupted with acknowledgement that Thailand’s leadership was taking a conservative new turn. Anutin’s appointment still awaits the formal endorsement of the Thai king to become official.
A Polarizing
Political Figure
At 58, Anutin is no stranger to power.
He previously served as deputy prime minister, interior minister, and health
minister, gaining national attention during the Covid-19 pandemic. But his
most controversial legacy is tied to his role in the 2022 legalization of
cannabis, a move that drew both praise for boosting business opportunities
and criticism for sparking public health debates.
Known for his blunt style, Anutin once
caused outrage when he accused Western visitors of spreading Covid-19, a
comment for which he later apologized. Despite such controversies, his
political maneuvering has consistently kept him at the center of Thai power
games.
His victory on Friday was only possible
with the support of the People’s Party, the largest bloc in parliament
with 143 seats. But their backing came with strings attached: parliament must
be dissolved within four months to pave the way for fresh elections.
For many Thais, frequent government changes have become the norm. “Governments change so often without real justification, it hardly shocks me anymore,” said Apiwat Moolnangdeaw, a 34-year-old resident of Bangkok. Yet, he welcomed the prospect of new elections, saying it would allow citizens to “set everything back to zero” and give the public another chance to express their will.
What This Means for
Thailand
Political experts suggest that Anutin’s
rise may usher in a more conservative era for Thailand. Titipol
Phakdeewanich, a political scientist from Ubon Ratchathani University,
warned that pro-democracy youth movements—already under pressure from
authorities—could face even greater risks under his leadership.
The Shinawatra dynasty, meanwhile, is
facing continued turbulence. Alongside Paetongtarn’s removal from office,
Thaksin Shinawatra is set to appear before the Supreme Court next week
in a case regarding the terms of his hospital stay after his controversial
early release from prison last year. While the case does not directly involve
his guilt or innocence, analysts caution that the ruling could land him back
behind bars. Thaksin has promised to return from Dubai to attend the hearing in
person.
Adding to the drama, Anutin had once been aligned with the Shinawatras’ Pheu Thai coalition but distanced himself this summer after disagreements over Paetongtarn’s handling of a border dispute with Cambodia. That split ultimately positioned him as the compromise candidate who could unite opposition blocs against the dynasty.
A Dynasty in Decline?
Friday’s vote may mark the end of the
Shinawatra family’s latest attempt to dominate Thai politics. Despite Pheu
Thai’s caretaker government trying a last-ditch effort to delay the vote by
asking the palace to dissolve parliament, royal officials dismissed the
request, citing unresolved legal questions about the interim administration’s
authority.
For now, all eyes are on Anutin—whose
tenure may be short-lived given the promise of new elections within months. Yet
his rise represents not only a personal triumph but also a symbolic victory for
Thailand’s conservative establishment, which has long sought to push back
against the Shinawatra legacy.
Whether this signals a temporary
setback or the final decline of the dynasty remains to be seen. But one thing
is certain: Thai politics is once again entering a period of uncertainty, with
power, ideology, and public frustration colliding in ways that will shape the
country’s future.