— Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai party and a prominent backer of cannabis decriminalisation, is poised to be elected prime minister by parliament after striking a deal with the largest opposition grouping and pledging to call a fresh general election within four months.
Key takeaways
- Anutin Charnvirakul, 58, leads the third-largest party, Bhumjaithai, and has long influenced coalition politics.
- Parliament is due to vote on a new prime minister following the constitutional court’s removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
- Anutin clinched a vote agreement with the largest opposition group (People’s party/Move Forward) that should secure sufficient lower-house support.
- He has pledged to dissolve parliament and hold a general election within four months if installed as PM.
- His rise underscores continuing political volatility: five prime ministers have been ousted by the judiciary in 17 years.
- Economic challenges persist, including slowed GDP growth and a reported 19% reciprocal tariff issue with the US affecting exports and tourism recovery.
- Pheu Thai nominated Chaikasem Nitisiri as its candidate and vowed to dissolve parliament if he wins, intensifying the short-term political tug-of-war.
Verified facts
Parliamentary members are scheduled to vote for a new prime minister on Friday after the constitutional court last week removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office for ethics violations. Under Thai law, only party-registered candidates from the 2023 election roster are eligible to serve as prime minister.
Anutin, whose family controls a major construction business, has been a central coalition broker for years. He served as health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic and supported the 2022 move to decriminalise marijuana; since then he has voiced support for tighter regulation of the sector.
Bhumjaithai reached an arrangement this week with the People’s party (formerly Move Forward). The People’s party will reportedly vote for Anutin in the lower house but has said it will not join his cabinet. As part of the deal, Anutin pledged to dissolve parliament within four months and call a general election.
Pheu Thai, the long-dominant populist party linked to Thaksin Shinawatra, put forward Chaikasem Nitisiri, 77, as its only remaining candidate and said it would move to dissolve parliament immediately if Chaikasem is elected. The political standoff follows Paetongtarn’s suspension in July after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen during a period of border clashes.
Context & impact
Thailand has experienced recurring political instability: five prime ministers removed by judicial decisions over the past 17 years and frequent changes in coalition alignments. Analysts say this pattern undermines policy continuity and investor confidence.
The economy remains fragile after the pandemic. Trade- and tourism-dependent sectors are facing headwinds, and reports cited a 19% “reciprocal” tariff issue with the US, heightening near-term export pressures and complicating recovery efforts.
If Anutin becomes prime minister and follows through on an early election pledge, the move could reset parliamentary dynamics but also prolong short-term uncertainty as parties prepare for another nationwide campaign.
Official statements
Anutin announced publicly that he had enough support to become prime minister and reiterated his commitment to hold new elections within months.
Anutin Charnvirakul / Press conference
Unconfirmed
- Whether Anutin will secure the necessary votes from the full parliamentary body, including all appointed senators, at the time of the vote.
- Exact timetable and legal details for the promised dissolution and the date of the next general election remain to be announced.
- Longer-term policy plans for regulating the cannabis sector after decriminalisation are still being negotiated within coalition talks.
Bottom line
Anutin’s likely elevation reflects continued fluidity in Thai politics: short-term coalition deals can deliver power quickly, but they may also lead to another nationwide election and ongoing economic and policy uncertainty. Observers will watch whether the promised early vote brings stability or prolongs the recurring cycle of shifts in government.